The Dalmore Story

Dalmore is the only Scotch distillery allowed to source Matusalem Sherry Wood from the producer, Gonzalez Byass, where these casks have held Oloroso Sherry for a minimum of thirty years. These casks offer up their aromatic signature as well as the rich, deep color and spiciness to The Dalmore. This is one of the reasons that the higher end Dalmores and even the 12 year old have such a robust flavor. Their Whisky is aged in a combination of Kentucky ex-bourbon barrels and the Matusalem barrels in various combinations and number of years to make up the different bottlings produced.

Established in 1839 by Alexander Matheson, Dalmore Distillery sits on the banks of the Cromarty Firth (Bay) overlooking the rich and fertile Black Isle. The distillery was bought by the Mackenzie family in 1886.

The prominent stag  on their packaging commemorates a moment in time from 1263 when the leader of Clan MacKenzie, later owners of The Dalmore Distillery, saved King Alexander III from a charging wild stag. In gratitude, the King gave the MacKenzies the right to use the stag’s head on their coat of arms and it appears on every bottle to this day.

Dalmore, along with Isle of Jura, Fettercairn single malts and Whtye & Mackay blends, is owned by Whyte and Mackay, which is in turn owned by United Spirits Limited (USL). Colorful Indian billionaire, Vijay Mallya, owner of USL, also owns an airline and is dubbed “the Richard Branson of India”. 

Dalmore has released some out of this world, super rare bottlings, such as the Dalmore 62 which had whisky from 1868, 1876, 1926 and 1939 and was produced in 1943. One bottle sold for $58,000. but for mere mortals and those without Whisky Expense Accounts, there are still some out of this world whiskies that might possibly be within reach.

The Tasting

I recently did a vertical tasting of five Dalmore expressions and also have notes on a 6th that I tasted earlier. The two that knocked me out were the Clan MacKenzie expression, 46%ABV, (only 200 bottles imported to the US), about $165 and the 1263 King Alexander III expression, 40% ABV, about $220.   I also tasted Dalmore 12, 40% ABV, about $45; Dalmore Gran Reserva, 40% ABV, about $65;      Dalmore 18, 43% ABV, about $165. I had previously tasted the Dalmore 15, 40% ABV, about $80.

Dalmore 12, 40% ABV   BUMS rating: 80-85

Nose: sherry, vanilla, slightly sprity, raisin, dried plum, graham cracker(?)

Palate: Caramel, sherry, raisin, dark chocolate, malt

Finish: Tapers off quickly.

With water: the spirit and sherry hits are kicked up. The palate is creamier,with predominant malt with sherry subordinate and bitter chocoalte.

The Dalmore 12 is aged half in bourbon barrels and half in sherry. Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, rates the 15 at 83.5 while the 12 is rated a 90.

Nose: Spirity, oak, slight vanilla and bitter orange, opens up to robust malty sherry and mild coffee

Palate: Slightly oily, nutty, malty, dark chocolate, lemon cake, raisin.

Finish: Cinnamon spicy, lingering back of the tongue finish

With water:  With just two drops of water falls apart.

A bit too bitter for me, but might appeal to the Starbucks over-roasted coffee crowd

The Dalmore Gran Reserva is 60 percent sherry wood and 40 percent American white oak-aged from 10- 15 years of age.

John Hansell of Malt Advocate gives it an 84.

Nose: Tremendous sherry nose with scents of citrus orange and vanilla sweetness.

Palate: Very creamy, warming sherry and a slight maltiness with a bit of vanilla in the background and a touch of spiciness.

Finish: Medium to long finish, but falls apart with water.

Aged entirely in sherry casks.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, rates the 15 at 83.5 while John Hansell of Malt Advocate gives it an 88.

Nose: Resinous woody scent, citrus and cinnamon and then sherry and milk chocolate

Palate: Spicy, nutty, sherry-caramel, slight lemon citrus and raisin

Finish: Long cinnamon and clove spiciness, drying

With Water: Softens, but does not fall apart.

Youthful for an older expression.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, rates this at at 76.5 while John Hansell of Malt Advocate gives it an 87.

This expression, distilled in 1992, rested for 12 years in new American Oak before being re-casked in Port wine butts for six years. Only 200 bottles in US.

Nose: Plums, vanilla cream, roasted almonds, raisins

Palate: Rich dried dark fruits, malty, slightly smoky, nice oaky base, caramel, chocolate ganache

Finish: Spicy/Sweet balance lingers

Excellent addition to the Dalmore line.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, rates this at at 88.5 while John Hansell of Malt Advocate gives it a 91

This one is a wood finishing symphony conducted by master blender Richard Paterson. Paterson’s palette of woods include French Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques; Madeira drums; sherry butts from Jerez de la Frontera; marsala barrels from Sicily; port pipes from the Douro; and sweet bourbon barrels from Kentucky. Once matured, the aged malts were expertly married by Paterson to create a whisky truly worthy to commemorate a King of Scotland.

Nose: Nutty, dark fruits, pumy, laters of rich sweet red grapes, almonds and sesame oil, pistachios, melon rind - amazingly complex nose

Palate: Super rich madeira, almonds, berries, melon, raisiins, caramel sauce and whipped cream

Finish: Long dark berry/vanilla finish

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, rates this at at 86 while John Hansell of Malt Advocate gives it an 88.

Conclusion

I’m a big believer in non-chill filtering and bottling at 43-46% or even higher, so that the flavor can shine through, so it was a huge surprise to me that the King Alexander, at 40% ABV, and probably chill filtered is such a flavor monster.  Hope you also discovered a new Dalmore fave and have picked a new dram to try.

Cheers!

Thanks to Laura Baddish for supplying samples.