DALMORE 12yo 1990s Bottle

I've heard tales of Dalmore's past excellence and present decline, but I firmly believe it's outstanding today. Having acquired a bottle from the 1990s, I felt compelled to compare and see for myself. Verdict: IT'S SUPERIOR. A curious tidbit for whisky enthusiasts: In 1917, the Dalmore Distillery was involved in producing Sea Mines for the British Navy during wartime, and one unfortunately detonated in 1920. This historical anecdote has no direct bearing on this remarkable whisky, but I wished to share an interesting fact. Bottled at 40% abv, it was initially matured in ex-Bourbon casks and then finished for 3 years in sherry oak. Nose: It presents a magnificent bouquet of coffee, plums, figs, orange, amaretto, banana cake, glue, almonds, vanilla cookies, and marzipan, with a hint of wine. Following the initial taste, notes of chocolate and candied fruits emerge, alongside clove and orange caramel. Palate: A delightful, fruit-forward dram featuring figs, wine-like notes, red fruits, and orange juice. Finish: Equally perfect. While the delicious bitter chocolate, pepper, and salt notes were enjoyable, the standout feature was the MOST INCREDIBLE TOBACCO NOTE EVER. It is truly exceptional. Overall, this dram is an absolute triumph. I already held Dalmore 12yo in high regard; it was the whisky that introduced me to single malts, but this is extraordinary. It's more fruity than the current version, less sweet, and undeniably more refined and elegant. My rating is 97 out of 100. Cheers!