Dalmore Constellation Collection 38 Years Old 1973

An official release of Dalmore, a 38 year old, from 1973, cask 10, at 48.1%, 223 bottles in all. Dalmore was founded in 1839 at Alness, and wears the twelve pointed Royal Stag of the Mackenzie clan. It is owned by Whyte and Mackay, and its King Alexander III bottling nods to the clan legend.

The spirit was made in copper stills whose water jackets give a heavy make, to build a rich, sherry loving character. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the full bodied, oily character lead. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and old oak as leather, coffee and dark chocolate linger. The cool Highland air on the firth gives a slow, even maturation. Its long time master distiller Richard Paterson, known as The Nose, shaped the rich house style. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to chocolate, marmalade and treacle.

At cask strength 48.1% it is full bodied. Dried fruit, orange and a treacly malt, with blackcurrant and a dry spice from the cask. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. Dried fruit, orange and a treacly oak see out the finish. This is the Royal Stag malt of the Cromarty Firth.