Dalmore Vintage Collection 18 Years Old 2005

An 18 year old Dalmore, a distillery bottling, from 2005, at 49.3%. Dalmore, on the firth at Alness, makes one of the most luscious, sherried malts in the Highlands. The distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson on the Cromarty Firth at Alness.

Made in copper stills whose water jackets give a heavy make, for a full, opulent Highland spirit. Maturation in an Oloroso butt laid dried fruit, treacle and dark chocolate over the oily malt. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (orange and dried fruit) over the chocolatey, sherried depth. The Royal Stag style is built on rich spirit and deep sherry wood. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, sherried core over the years. Dalmore's sherry comes largely from the aged Oloroso casks of Gonzalez Byass. Much of its sherry comes from aged Oloroso casks, the Matusalem, Apostoles and Amoroso butts of Gonzalez Byass.

At 49.3%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. A rich, sherried sweetness, with raisin, date, fig and treacle from the cask. Marmalade, chocolate and dried fruit fill the middle. The finish is deep, sherried and dark. This is a sherried Highland single malt of real depth.