Dalmore 8 Years Old 2012 (SMWS 13.92)

This Dalmore was bottled by the bottler Scotch Malt Whisky Society, an 8 year old, distilled in 2012, from cask 13.92, bottled at 65.3%, one of 242 bottles. Dalmore, on the firth at Alness, makes one of the most luscious, sherried malts in the Highlands. Its long time master distiller Richard Paterson, known as The Nose, shaped the rich house style.

The spirit was distilled for the thick, full bodied spirit Dalmore is known for, for a full, opulent Highland spirit. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and orange over the rich spirit. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the spirit rich, oily and orange scented. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the rich malt. Refill oak lets the full bodied Dalmore character lead, orange and dried fruit beneath.

At cask strength 65.3% it is full bodied. Baked fruit, coffee and a dark sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is thick and oily, the fruit lifted by a rich sherry. A full, sherried finish ends on orange and dark chocolate. This is a rich, full bodied Highland single malt.