Dalmore 9 Years Old 2015 Cask #4428 (Adelphi)

From the bottler Adelphi, a 9 year old Dalmore, distilled in 2015, from cask 4428, bottled at 59.1%, one of 238 bottles. Dalmore sits above the Cromarty Firth, its water jacketed stills building a thick, oily spirit. The distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson on the Cromarty Firth at Alness.

Worked through flat topped and water jacketed stills for a rich, oily spirit, for the rich, full bodied make Dalmore is known for. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and citrus beneath the rich malt. In these extractive early years the oak gives vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut over a rich, fruity spirit. Dalmore's sherry comes largely from the aged Oloroso casks of Gonzalez Byass. Water comes from the River Averon, drawn from Loch Morie in the hills above. The Royal Stag style is built on rich spirit and deep sherry wood.

At a natural 59.1% it is full and honeyed. Orange, treacle and a warm spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Marmalade, chocolate and dried fruit fill the middle. A long, opulent finish carries a chocolate orange depth. This is a sherried Highland single malt of real depth.