Dalmore 31 Years Old 1976 The Cross Hill (Jack Wiebers Whisky World)

The bottler Jack Wiebers Whisky World bottled this Dalmore, a 31 year old, distilled in 1976, bottled at 59.9%, one of 110 bottles. Dalmore is a full bodied, sherried Highland single malt from the shores of the Cromarty Firth. Its flat topped wash stills and water jacketed spirit stills build a thick, rich, oily spirit.

The spirit was worked through flat topped and water jacketed stills for a rich, oily spirit, giving the thick, oily spirit that drinks sherry so well. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the thick spirit. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and old oak as leather, coffee and dark chocolate linger. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the rich malt. The distillery stands on the firth near Alness, in the Northern Highlands. Dalmore's sherry comes largely from the aged Oloroso casks of Gonzalez Byass.

At a hearty 59.9% it carries real weight. Marmalade, chocolate and a malty depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orange and a treacly malt sit behind the cask. A full, sherried finish ends on orange and dark chocolate. This is a sherried Highland single malt of real depth.