Dalmore 12 Year Kyndal

Since discovering the excitement of whisky auctions in 2020, two things have occurred: I'm broke because I've spent far beyond my means, and I've sampled some truly excellent whiskies, far above the ordinary. This review focuses on the Dalmore Kyndal, an exceptionally rare 12-year-old expression from this distillery, exclusively given to employees on October 15, 2001. Kyndal, a subsidiary of Whyte & Mackay, briefly managed the Dalmore brand. While this special edition was never publicly sold, I have my methods for acquiring such spirits. Bottled at 40% ABV with a tawny color. The nose is one of the most captivating Dalmore aromas I've encountered, offering very clean notes of raisins, figs, cherries, dried oranges – incredibly sweet and fruity. It also has notes of fruitcake, candied fruits, and lemon. After the initial taste, the aroma became even more enticing, releasing hints of maple syrup, coffee, chocolate, and homemade dulce de leche. The palate is pleasant, serving more as a transition to a remarkable aftertaste. It's very wine-like, with oranges and significant astringency. A second sip revealed caramel, toffee, and condensed milk. The aftertaste is amazing: tobacco, dark chocolate, prunes, sulfury, and salty. The finish is exceptionally long and salty, which is quite distinct for this Dalmore. It's acidic and dry. Overall, this is a superb Dalmore expression. My conclusion is that distillery workers enjoy superior drinks compared to me, haha. I rate this beauty 94 out of 100.