Dalmore Tastings – A Superb Double
Tonight (Tuesday 22nd November) Nicola has popped round to Jim’s for a wee special tasting that we have wanted to do for a few weeks now, two terrific Dalmore’s.
From away back in 1839 this grand old distillery has been producing Single Malts, originally owned by the Clan Mackenzie but now owned by Whyte and Mackay Ltd. From the Mackenzie Clan family crest comes the iconic Stags Head that adorns each bottle of Dalmore.
This distillery is ideally located on the banks of the Firth of Cromarty and uses dunnage system of warehousing which helps to give the Dalmore it’s great complexity.
One great part of this distillery that no other has, is Richard Paterson the Master Blender who has ensured that this Single Malt is one of the most revered and respected drams in Scotland and indeed throughout the world.
Dalmore Distillery,
Alness,
Ross-shire,
IV17 0UT.
telephone – 01349 882362
website – www.thedalmore.com
Lets get on with some tastings. First of the night is:-
Dalmore – King Alexander III , Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky- 405 Alc/vol 70cl
This dram has been matured in six different oak casks:- Oloroso, Madeira, Bourbon. Port, Marsala and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Nicola’s tasting
Nose…Bourneville chocolate dripping in sweet desert wines.
Taste…Sweetly soaked fruit and smooth vanilla honey topped with vermicelli.
Finish…Short, was hoping for a wee lingering sweet chocolate.
Score…3.5 Corks
Jim’s tasting
Nose…Sweet barley sugar with sweet raisins, mild chocolate and some citrus fruits.
Taste…Some spice and woodiness, some of my Mum’s mixed fruit tea loaf, the citrus notes are still showing.
Finish…Short to medium and most of the great aroma’s and flavours have just gone.
Score…3.5 Corks
That was a really good dram but let see how it stands up to it’s little brother. Our second of the evening is:-
Dalmore – 15 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 40% Alc/vol 70cl
This dram has been matured in :- Matusalem, Apostoles and Amoroso sherry casks.
Nicola’s tasting
Nose…Sherried sultana’s and some vanilla.
Taste…Loads of fruit cake, mild milky coffee.
Finish…Short to medium, the fruit cake and a wee touch of sherry comes in, very pleasant indeed.
Score…3.0 Corks
Jim’s tasting
Nose…Floral perfume and Cadbury’s chocolate orange, nice hints of sherry.
Taste…Citrus zest, plenty of chocolate, spicy wood a delight vanilla ice cream and the sherry is still showing but not very strong, in comes a little peppery spice to add to the complexity.
Finish…A good touch of smoke comes in, linger longer than the King Alexander.
Score…4 Corks
Two very elegant and exceptional drams both Jim and Nicola preferred the 15 Year Old and at a third of the price of the King Alexander it is a bargain, but as the Whisky Boys are great lovers of all the Dalmore expressions these two were up there with the best of them.
When you pop into your specialist Whisky shop or use our online shop, remember to tell them the Whisky Boys sent you.