Dalmore Dee Dram

This official Dalmore, a 12 year old, at 40%, 3600 bottles in all. Dalmore was founded in 1839 at Alness, and wears the twelve pointed Royal Stag of the Mackenzie clan. Water comes from the River Averon, drawn from Loch Morie in the hills above.

Drawn off stills whose cooling jackets build a rich, oily spirit, to build a rich, sherry loving character. An aged Oloroso cask wrapped the rich spirit in dried fruit, chocolate and orange, the Dalmore signature. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the rich, oily spirit growing rounder. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to chocolate, marmalade and treacle. The cool Highland air on the firth gives a slow, even maturation. It is owned by Whyte and Mackay, and its King Alexander III bottling nods to the clan legend. Dalmore's sherry comes largely from the aged Oloroso casks of Gonzalez Byass.

At 40% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. Marmalade, chocolate and a malty depth, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. Marmalade, chocolate and dried fruit fill the middle. Dried fruit, orange and a treacly oak see out the finish. This is a sherried Highland single malt of real depth.