Dalmore Vintage 15 Years Old 2009

Dalmore from the distillery, a 15 year old, from 2009, at 48.9%. 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.

Distilled for the thick, full bodied spirit Dalmore is known for, giving the thick, oily spirit that drinks sherry so well. Ex-Sherry wood, the Matusalem and Apostoles style, gave a deep marmalade and chocolate richness. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (orange and dried fruit) over the chocolatey, sherried depth. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the rich malt. Maturation in the cool north keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years. Water comes from the River Averon, drawn from Loch Morie in the hills above. The distillery stands on the firth near Alness, in the Northern Highlands.

At cask strength 48.9% it is full bodied. A full, dried fruit richness, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. Beneath it run orange, dark chocolate and dried fruit. The finish runs rich, fruity and warm. This is a sherried Highland single malt of real depth.