Dalmore Constellation Collection 45 Years Old 1966

Dalmore from the distillery, a 45 year old, from 1966, cask 7, at 41.7%, 237 bottles in all. Dalmore is a Whyte and Mackay distillery known for its opulent, dried fruit rich style. It is owned by Whyte and Mackay, and its King Alexander III bottling nods to the clan legend.

Distilled for the thick, full bodied spirit Dalmore is known for, for a heavy, rich make that suits aged sherry wood. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the thick spirit. Ethereal and old, decades draw the malt to a rich, waxy depth of sotolon, old oak and dried fruit. Refill oak lets the full bodied Dalmore character lead, orange and dried fruit beneath. Most expressions are finished in aged sherry wood, giving orange, chocolate and treacle. The distillery stands on the firth near Alness, in the Northern Highlands. Long ageing turns the fresh orange towards marmalade, dark chocolate, coffee and a warm spice.

At 41.7%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Dried fruit, orange and a treacly malt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is thick and oily, the fruit lifted by a rich sherry. The finish runs rich, fruity and warm. This is a chocolate, orange and dried fruit Highland single malt.