The Dalmore Distillery has been producing exceptional single malt whisky since 1839 and, for almost a century, was owned by the Clan Mackenzie. The clan’s defining influence on the distillery is still evident to this day, with the iconic royal stag’s antlers – taken from the Mackenzie family crest – adorning each and every bottle of The Dalmore.
Located on the northern shores of the Firth of Cromarty, deep in the spectacular Scottish Highlands, the distillery is perfectly placed to take advantage of a feast of natural resources: from the waters of Loch Morie, found high in the hills overlooking the distillery, to the golden barley of the rich coastal soils of the Black Isle. Being sited at sea level is critically important. Enveloped by the salt air, the sea-facing traditional dunnage warehouses provide the ideal conditions for maturation.
So, the big "D", as I now call it, is on the lower end of the price scale as far as 12 year olds go, but provides a good bang for the buck. Excellent deep amber brown color, nice hit of peaty goodness, and just a tingle of fire on the finish. Good flavor + Easy to drink + reasonable cost + cool bottle = good to have on hand.
Not complicated, just good whisky. This one has a few brethren available, which will have to turn up at a later date I'm thinking.
ah mysterious number 4, thou name art Dalmore... I predict you will find a home on my shelf soon enough...
ReplyDeletenow here was a scotch…the color a real burnt umber….the nose spoke of rolling hills and the taste was smooth on the outside but strong on the inside. there was enough peat to make me want to sip and savor. of the choices brother bob has offered up, this is the one he might have to worry about me drinking another of.
Color: light caramel
ReplyDeleteLegs: strong
Nose: not much, maybe some vanilla to go with the strong smell of alcohol. Keep in mind some paint thinners also have that smell (minus the vanilla).
Taste: a medium to strong peat taste, pretty rough on the throat
Finish: strong and lasting
This one is chameleon-like for me. At times, it is another fire-water kind of whisky for me. Other times it goes down smoothly with just a dash of fire. The peat seems to grow the more you drink. The first taste kind of burns and is a shock to my system. A single drop of water does not change it much, maybe brings out the vanilla in the nose a little more. This definitely requires a slow, small sipping kind of tasting. I would not turn this down, but I would certainly nurse it for a long time, as I am doing now, trying to keep it from the back of my throat.
the nose is assailed with a sweet, gingery, bit of a burn if inhaled too deeply confusion of odors not smokey or peaty. 1st sip – a bit sweet but what a burn. Hints of licorice but oh that burn. 2nd sip – ah, mercy just like what happens to your sense of hearing after the first hour at “the fashion show”, the burn is lost. Tastes sweet still but not particularly peaty. 3rd sip: still burns but the creamy texture begins to emerge. Gotta do a splash. Enhances that creamy texture a bit but the burn still needs taming. Gotta do an ice cube. That tamed the nose (or it is still burnt off) and the taste is now controlled, a hint of vanilla extract. Tastes like a youngish scotch, not too bad. Certainly wouldn’t confuse this one with mild. As the tasting continues, this stuff isn’t bad. Of course I still have a remnant of my cold so “taste” is somewhat dubious but the color is really a recommendation. Not peaty, not smokey but something you can get your tongue around. Another cold weather tipple! I will have to add to the shelf.
ReplyDeleteCharlie won a bottle of this at a tournament in Richmond. Obviously since he can't drink it his parents were forced to imbibe. I enjoy the Dalmore. It is a bit bolder than the Scotch that I usually enjoy but I wouldn't turn it down.
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