Dalmore Millennium Release (50%)

An official release of Dalmore, a 15 year old, from 2000, at 50%, 200 bottles in all. Dalmore was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson and long run by the Mackenzies. The Dalmore range climbs to some of the oldest and most expensive whiskies in the world.

It was made in copper stills whose water jackets give a heavy make, for the rich, full bodied make Dalmore is known for. Maturation in an Oloroso butt laid dried fruit, treacle and dark chocolate over the oily malt. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the sherry turning to marmalade, treacle and dark chocolate. Dalmore's sherry comes largely from the aged Oloroso casks of Gonzalez Byass. Maturation in the cool north keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years. 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.

At a natural 50% it is full and honeyed. Dried fruit, orange and a treacly malt, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. Soft orange and a treacly malt sit behind the cask. A full, sherried finish ends on orange and dark chocolate. This is a rich, full bodied Highland single malt.