Dalmore 12 Year

My whisky journey began six years ago. This review marks my 1083rd tasting, though it's the first I've ever documented, and my initial single malt was a Dalmore 12yo. Obviously, this current magical dram is the modern version. However, an older expression existed back in the 1970s-1980s. This particular black-labeled, long bottle Dalmore 12yo represents that older bottling. Let's see if this forgotten gem has evolved over the past fifty years. Bottled at 43% ABV, this already presents a difference from the expression currently found in stores, which is only 40%. The nose is quite distinct and complex. Wonderful orange zest notes, fresh gooseberries. All very citrusy and quite lovely. It possesses the character of most 1970s whiskies, with bold citrus flavors; I've encountered a few like them. After five minutes of nosing, dry cherries emerge. A beautiful aroma of fruit salad, kiwi, and ripe fruits. Following a couple of sips, the aroma shifts to lemon and air freshener. It's as if every fruit imaginable has been dipped in marmalade. Fantastic. The palate begins with yellow apples alongside orange marmalade. Exceptionally good; salt and sawdust appear after five seconds. A second taste brought canned pineapples for cocktails. Salty and dusty. Wonderful. The finish is slightly oaky, with sawdust, hay, and clove. A rounded, herbal conclusion. It's quite unlike the Dalmore of today. It's dry, with tobacco leaf notes; very old-fashioned. Overall, this was an incredible experience. It fetches around 450 dollars on the secondary market, which might seem steep for a 12-year-old whisky. However, you are essentially paying for a relic from fifty years ago, a time when the world was very different. Not only has the world changed, but Dalmore has too. I believe this is a more intricate dram than the current offering. Both are very good, and I can honestly say Dalmore is among my favorite distilleries. My rating for this bottling is 95 out of 100.

Dalmore crafts some of my favorite whiskies. The 12-year-old is an approachable dram that would please any novice drinker. Although its 40% ABV might be low for some, it remains flavorful. The nose is very citrus-forward, initially presenting Sicilian lemon and orange. This is followed by notes of honey, sugar, and a hint of grain. The palate is like a good orange peel preserve or candied orange. The combination of honey and orange flavors is akin to enjoying an orange dessert. A great dram! Cheers!

The initial taste definitely has some chocolate and a pleasant but brief sharpness. The sherry and bourbon character is evident. There's a subtle amount of smoke and peat. While it's acceptable, it's not something I'd seek out again. I spent around eighty dollars, which in my opinion is double what it should cost.

The aroma presents both sherry and bourbon notes, which is unusual but interesting. The consistency is thin, but this does not detract from the overall experience; it's merely an observation. Personally, I can detect the bourbon, which I'm not fond of, but it doesn't dominate, making it a pleasant sipper. The sherry adds a subtle sweetness. This evaluation is based on drinking it neat.

Gentle, sweet, and smooth. These three qualities make any whisky excellent. I haven't sampled it neat, as my wife gifted it to me for our wedding along with a large ice sphere mold, and thankfully so! I've been converted to enjoying whisky on the rocks. A perfect score! Reserved for special moments!

A rich, prominent sweetness on the nose: caramel leading, with vanilla, honey, and cinnamon. The palate introduces some dark fruit; the sherry's velvety effect is quite apparent. Adding water surprisingly thins the spirit – only a few drops are necessary, if any. The finish is short and mild. What you detect upfront is what you get.