Dalmore 40 Years Old (42%)

A 40 year old Dalmore, a distillery bottling, at 42%. Dalmore sits above the Cromarty Firth, its water jacketed stills building a thick, oily spirit. The Mackenzie clan ran it from 1867, and gave it the twelve pointed Royal Stag, after an ancestor saved King Alexander III from a charging stag in 1263.

The spirit was distilled for the thick, full bodied spirit Dalmore is known for, to build a rich, sherry loving character. Maturation in an Oloroso butt laid dried fruit, treacle and dark chocolate over the oily malt. In its ethereal years the malt is deep and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, spice). Maturation in the cool north keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years. The Royal Stag style is built on rich spirit and deep sherry wood. Refill oak lets the full bodied Dalmore character lead, orange and dried fruit beneath.

At 42% it is clean and soft. A rich, oily chocolate orange, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. A dried fruit and a chocolate depth give it weight. A full, sherried finish ends on orange and dark chocolate. This is the rich, sherried Highland malt of Dalmore.