Dalmore The Portfolio Series No.3

This official Dalmore, at 49.7%, 1000 bottles in all. Dalmore was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson and long run by the Mackenzies. It is owned by Whyte and Mackay, and its King Alexander III bottling nods to the clan legend.

The spirit was worked through flat topped and water jacketed stills for a rich, oily spirit, building the luscious Dalmore style. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and a soft orange behind the rich spirit. With no age statement, the oak has given vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut over the rich, sherried spirit. The water jacketed stills give a heavy spirit that soaks up sherry over a long maturation. Dalmore's sherry comes largely from the aged Oloroso casks of Gonzalez Byass. Refill oak lets the full bodied Dalmore character lead, orange and dried fruit beneath. An aged Oloroso cask suits the rich spirit, dried fruit and chocolate meeting the oily weight.

At its natural 49.7% it is concentrated. Orange, treacle and a warm spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Marmalade, chocolate and dried fruit fill the middle. The finish is deep, sherried and dark. This is Dalmore, rich with orange and dark chocolate.