July 16, 2015

Two official Dalmore

We’re back, with two official Dalmores. The coming days and weeks should be relatively quieter work-wise at WF Towers, and the weather more or less acceptable, so we’ll try to post more regularly again. Perhaps even 6/7, because mind you, there are many new whiskies in the sample library. Such as a new Dalmore ‘Distillery Exclusive’…

Dalmore 12 yo (40%, OB, +/- 2015)

This is the aperitif. We quite liked the Dalmore 12 last time we tried it, back in 2011 (WF 82). Colour: gold. Nose: it’s really malty, with a blend of Mars bar, chicory, Ovaltine and slightly burnt maple syrup. There’s also a winey touch (PX style), then rather a lot of chocolate and café latte. Well in the style of Dalmore, but with rather less oranges than usual, it seems. Mouth: in keeping with the nose, only rather less smooth and rounded than expected. That means that the chocolate is of the bitter kind, and that there’s really a lot of malt. Stout? Also tobacco, leather, some hay, bitter dry herbs, bitter marmalade, some cardamom… The whole’s much drier than I remembered. Finish: dry, maybe a tad short, on bitter chocolate, coffee beans, roasted walnuts… A little marmalade in the aftertaste. Comments: I don’t think Dalmore 12’s ever been a sweet and jammy whisky, but this time we’re really having a dry one. Slightly salty oloroso? SGP:351 - 81 points.

Dalmore ‘Distillery Exclusive 2015’ (48%, OB, distillery exclusive, 450 bottles)

This baby is a blend of various wine casks. The price is… err, the price, £150 for a non-cask-strength NAS bottling. Perhaps a bit heavy? Colour: deep amber. Nose: you’re in Jerez, sipping some old amontillado. Would you mind passing the croquetas? There’s a little oak at first nosing (warm sawdust), then walnut cake, quince jelly, mushrooms, pipe tobacco and crystallised oranges. Maple syrup, ganache, Ovaltine, mint tea. The composition works well, and is very ‘modern Dalmore’, with more chocolate and less exuberant fruits than in older bottlings (say pre-1980). Mouth: there must be some old casks in this. Lovely arrival, on rose jelly, earthy teas, Turkish delights and oranges, all that coated with chocolate and a little green coffee. And some caramel/praline. Roasted cashew. The oranges fight back, but the spicy chocolate never gives up. Good body, the strength is perfect. Finish: long, with a feeling of old armagnac, which cannot be bad news. The signature is slightly salty, with a grassy bitterness, some liquorice, a little mint. Old oak? Comments: expensive and certainly very good. It’s got a retro side that’s very pleasant. SGP:461 - 86 points.

Check the index of all Dalmore I've tasted so far