
October 3, 2016

Three Crazy Dalmore

Dalmore is a mystery. It’s a rather pushy ‘brand’ that whisky geeks often don’t like too much, and yet the very same whisky geeks just love all the people that work at or for Dalmore. And rightly so, they are great, very friendly and very knowledgeable people! And it’s always a treat to be able to visit the distillery… Anyway, let’s have three new ones. We won’t mention the prices, you’ll easily find them online.

Dalmore ‘Quintessence’ (45%, OB, 2016)

You couldn’t make this up, this NAS baby has been finished in five different Californian red wine casks. Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Seriously, Zin. Colour: amber. Nose: first achievement, it’s not too winey. Second achievement, it’s pretty Dalmore-y, with some chocolate and some oranges. And then, it’s malty, with whiffs of Mars bar and a wee earthy/ferny side that’s rather pleasant. Perhaps does it rather go towards Cognac? Pleasant. Mouth: no, this is very unusual. Seriously, it does taste like some kind of American craft whisky, flash-aged in very small barrels. And it’s pretty good, with some pumpernickel, gourd pips, sloe, cloves, ginger… It’s just not very Dalmore anymore. But funny it is. Finish: medium, on bitter chocolate, cigars, black tea, and green pepper and juniper. Some French oak involved, perhaps? Comments: Dalmore’s first craft whisky? Really, it almost made me laugh, and this, I like. And it’s rather very good IMHO. SGP:461 - 83 points.

Dalmore 20 yo 1995/2016 (53%, OB, for La Maison du Whisky, Sauternes finish, cask #4, 290 bottles)

Not 100% sure about the strength. Sauternes is one of the wines that can work as finishings, as we’ve noticed several times in the past. Mind you, it’s not touriga nacional. Colour: gold. Nose: quite amazingly, it’s more ‘Dalmore’ than many Dalmores. I mean, we’re closer to some excellent indies that to the brand’s usual ‘heavier’ style. Malt, croissants, and cakes (or panettone), then oranges, fudge, and white chocolate. Perhaps dried apricots, but I’m not too sure. This baby does not seem to need water, so for once… Mouth: indeed, it’s more ‘independent Dalmore’, fresh, quite vibrant and refreshing, with squeezed oranges and mullein flower syrup. That, you should try one day, if you haven’t. Typical Sauternes. Finish: long, fruity, never too oaky, with added tones of aromatic herbs, such as lemongrass, or perhaps honeysuckle. Blackcurrant leaves in the aftertaste. Comments: can we have the name of the château? Nah, I’m joking… I really like this. SGP:551 - 85 points.

Dalmore 35 yo (40%, OB, 2016)

Yes, only 40% vol. And warning warning warning, some colheita Port pipe has been involved. Oh and Baccarat crystal. Baccarat are just half an hour away from the Whiskyfun Towers. I’m scared… Colour: amber. Nose: phew, no invasive red wine notes, rather cakes and ‘an Austrian breakfast buffet’, as well as very soft Indian spices and some very lovely shy flowers. No roses and stuff, rather tiny ones from the fields. Nuts. I mean, there are nuts in this nose. Mouth: can we have a version at a higher strength if we pay more? In truth this is quite perfect, full of soft dried fruits, flowers, oranges, with touches of ginger cake, speculoos, roasted malt… And no red Port in sight, hurrrray! (don’t get me wrong, I love Port, just not in my whisky). Finish: medium to short, whispers a bit, but there are many herbal teas. Chamomile, wild roses, and honeysuckle. A little more oak in the aftertaste, but that’s nothing. Comments: perhaps a tad fragile, but it’s a great old Dalmore for sure. They managed to bury the Port wine, no small feat. SGP:551 - 89 points.

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