Dalmore Lands of Clan MacKenzie – Cromartie 16 Years Old 1996

An official release of Dalmore, a 16 year old, from 1996, at 45%, 7500 bottles in all. Dalmore is a Highland distillery on the Cromarty Firth, famous for its rich, heavily sherried single malt. Its flat topped wash stills and water jacketed spirit stills build a thick, rich, oily spirit.

The spirit was distilled in flat topped wash stills and water jacketed spirit stills on River Averon water, for a heavy, rich make that suits aged sherry wood. Ex-Sherry wood, the Matusalem and Apostoles style, gave a deep marmalade and chocolate richness. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the sherry turning to marmalade, treacle and dark chocolate. The full bodied make rewards a long, sherried maturation in good wood. Most expressions are finished in aged sherry wood, giving orange, chocolate and treacle. The Mackenzie clan ran it from 1867, and gave it the twelve pointed Royal Stag, after an ancestor saved King Alexander III from a charging stag in 1263.

At an approachable 45% it is soft and easy. Marmalade, chocolate and a malty depth, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. Beneath it run orange, dark chocolate and dried fruit. The finish is deep, sherried and dark. This is Dalmore's opulent, chocolate orange Highland style.