Dalmore 28 Years Old 1992 Cask #1746 (Signatory)

From the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 28 year old Dalmore, distilled in 1992, from cask 1746, bottled at 45.2%, one of 231 bottles. Dalmore is a Highland distillery on the Cromarty Firth, famous for its rich, heavily sherried single malt. Its long time master distiller Richard Paterson, known as The Nose, shaped the rich house style.

It was run through the distillery's unusual flat topped and water jacketed stills, for a full, opulent Highland spirit. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding vanilla and a soft honey. In the oxidative, evaporative years concentration brings dried fruit, fig, coffee and a treacly depth over a rich malt. The rich, oily spirit takes cask flavour superbly, especially aged sherry wood. Refill oak lets the full bodied Dalmore character lead, orange and dried fruit beneath. Its spirit stills wear cooling water jackets, condensing the heavier compounds back for a fuller body.

Bottled at a cask strength 45.2%, it is rich. A full, dried fruit richness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orange and a treacly malt sit behind the cask. The finish is deep, sherried and dark. This is the Royal Stag malt of the Cromarty Firth.