Dalmore 12 Year Sherry Cask Select

I am a huge Dalmore fan. Not only that, Dalmore 12yo was my first single malt, and it completely blew my mind the first time I had it, and it was my starting point to the world of whiskies. Having said that, I had heard good things about this new and limited release, which is basically different from the standard 12yo since this expression has been finished in a bespoke cask seasoned with Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry. Bottled at a higher strength than the normal 12yo, at 43% ABV, chestnut color. On the nose, it starts completely different from any other Dalmore. Chocolate, oranges, and a super GINGER BOMB!; dehydrated oranges, cinnamon, hazelnut, raisins. Very herbal, prunes, milk chocolate. After a first sip, the aroma changed into a more normal Dalmore. Dates, figs, milk powder and sherry. On the palate, it was also not what I expected at the beginning, but after a couple sips it showed me the traditional profile from this distillery. Red wine, licorice, brandy. The second sip gave me red fruits, strawberries, vanilla and a nice spiciness. Aftertaste gave me the same experience, that the first impression was different from other expressions of this distillery, to then give you exactly what you expected. Licorice, brandy, church wine. After a couple of sips it gave me ginger, cinnamon, chocolate and an impressive coffee bean note. Overall, this one felt unbalanced. The first impression on the nose, palate and aftertaste was totally different from the following sips and it just didn't feel like a Dalmore. I was not impressed, and I can tell you I like the classic 12yo better. It is not a bad dram at all, but have you ever tasted something thinking it is something else, and then when you actually taste it you feel disappointed because of the deception? That was my feeling here. My score for it is an 85 out of 100.

I'm typically very skeptical of The Dalmore, viewing it as The Macallan's less sophisticated counterpart. However, this 12-year-old sherry cask was on sale for $65 at my local store, which is quite reasonable these days for a 12-year sherry cask single malt. Reasonable pricing is unusual for Dalmore, known for its $300 NAS offerings. But man, I really enjoyed this! The nose is impressive, with soft cherries, ginger, figs, and musty books. The palate, enhanced by the slightly higher ABV, offers strong honey, chocolate, and red fruit flavors, and the finish is a gorgeous lingering spiciness with just the slightest bitter edge to keep it interesting. I've only ever had the standard 12, which is acceptable, but I believe this is significantly better. I will definitely repurchase it. I still won't spend $175 on the cigar malt or $300 on the King Alexander, but my opinion of Dalmore has definitely been altered by this. It's genuinely quite good.

Review of a finished bottle. It's easy to appreciate. Nose: Sherry, raisins, orange zest, toffee, with hints of chocolate and nuts. Quite enjoyable. Palate: Echoes the nose, with added honey, baking spices, tobacco, french roast coffee grounds, barrel spices, and caramel. A little thin, but still very enjoyable. Finish: Sufficiently long with honey, nuts, raisin, orange, french vanilla, baking and barrel spice notes. A touch of bitterness detracts slightly from the overall enjoyment.

Let's start exploring this gem! Nose: Nuts in honey, raisins, candied citrus peel, cinnamon buns, with a barely perceptible trail of dried mango and blooming trees. Palate: Buttery, very dark chocolate, walnut skin, cinnamon powder, overripe mango and peach. Finishes with chocolate mixed with fresh citrus zest and overripe honeyed pear. Aftertaste is long, the spirits are smooth, rounded, buttery, 'deep'. 4.25/5

So subtle! Dalmore bottles have become pricey, and you understand why when you taste a scotch this good. Smells of chocolate and orange. On the palate, the sherry cask influence is immediately apparent, while retaining the chocolate and orange aromas. Medium length finish. It's truly very well crafted. Typically not my kind of bottle, but I loved it! Sampled at L'Ile Noire in 2023-03.

Nose: Red Fruits, Cinnamon, Cherry, Toffee, Hazelnut, Sweet Bread. Palate: Toffee, Cinnamon Stick, Fig, Plum, Vanilla, Raisin, Orange Citrus, Oak Tannins. A delightful expression from Dalmore. It's a bit more intricate than their standard 12 year due to extended barrel aging and the added richness from the extra 3% alcohol. The full impact of the Pedro Ximenez is evident in the long dried fruit finish.