Dalmore 18 Year

Bottled in 2018. What's the top distillery? Springbank. I've said that and even wrote a poem for Longrow 18. But, what's the worst? Dalmore. Prepare for insults. Some background. I've had the Dalmore 12, 15, 18, and King Alexander III. All are terrible. It's always puzzled me how Dalmore continues as a distillery. Macallan is Macallan; Dalmore is not. Dalmore appeals to a disgusting market for those uninterested in taste but interested in luxury, and who can't afford Macallan. This 18-year-old is the only Dalmore bottle I purchased, thinking I got a good deal finding it forgotten at a Canadian Duty Free for about $120 USD. It was clearly a European leftover, being 70 cL instead of 750 mL. Instead of returning it, they apparently dumped it at a steep discount. The standard price for Dalmore 18 is $200-250 USD. Clearly, I still feel swindled. But, more background: Richard Paterson, Dalmore's master blender, is an ass. I can't believe how many Scotch drinkers worship him. He's repulsive, and the last person I'd want to meet while enjoying whisky. So, here's a YouTube video to show what I mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDS-InpmEnM He has many videos on “How to Taste Whisky,” but this is the best because it's short, and I know the Canadian host, Sophie Liu. The video is hilariously awkward. Paterson is dressed like a creepy pilot, and Sophie genuinely seems worried he might assault her, questioning his Dalmore sample with, “It’s from a vial with no label on it…” But, my main issue with Paterson isn't his lack of decorum around whisky or women; it's that by tossing whisky around as a joke, he shows no respect when visiting someone's home or workplace. It's fine he disrespects his own Dalmore because it's trash, but show some respect for those who clean up your mess. Nosing this whisky… Hello. How are you? Quite well. Thank you. Dalmore 18 actually has a very pleasant nose. Sultanas, red citrus, fine perfume, prunes, delicate pastries, a well-seasoned wood cutting board. Tasting this whisky… Yo. What’s up? This is awful. Screw you too. This completely falls apart. At best, the palate is weak and dull, but then there's this plastic cherry note that sends me on a nightmarish journey of $9 old-fashioneds, cheap celebration cakes, and liver problems. Some nice red citrus flavors attempt to return on the finish, but it's overwhelmed by this soul-crushing essence of garbage. I don't know how else to describe it. Maybe: despair. This whisky tastes like despair. I actually can't give this whisky a negative score because the nose is pleasant. And I really can't express my true feelings about this whisky or the Dalmore distillery because my wife enjoys it. Score: 0 (forgettable) Cost per bottle: $200-250 My perceived value per bottle: $50

Aroma: wood, sherry, maple syrup, a little subdued. Palate: Very woody, somewhat similar to Macallan but stronger and less delicate, sherry, consistently maple syrup, dark chocolate. A caramel flavor is present; I'm unsure if it's added or natural, as I couldn't find information regarding "natural color" for the 18-year-old. Finish: Quite long, spicy and sharp, with wood and sherry notes. The influence of the initial bourbon cask maturation is not very noticeable, while the final sherry maturation is very apparent. An excellent quality product, but it fell short of my expectations. Rating 4.25 ___________________________________________________________ Nose: wood, sherry, maple syrup, somewhat lacking in intensity. Palate: significant wood presence, reminiscent of Macallan but more robust and less refined, sherry, consistent maple syrup, dark chocolate. A caramel note is perceived; its addition is uncertain as information on "natural color" for the 18yo was unavailable. Finish: fairly lengthy, with spicy and hot notes, featuring wood and sherry. The initial bourbon cask influence is subtle, while the final sherry cask influence is very pronounced. An excellent quality product, yet below my anticipated standards. Score 4.25

Matured for 18 years just outside of Inverness, Scotland. The box top removes and can serve as a bottle stand. The label is a nice blueish-purple with a pleasant suede texture. This 18-year expression was aged in top-tier ex-bourbon casks and Matusalem oloroso sherry casks chosen by the brilliant Master Blender Richard Patterson. This cask combination yields a bold, complex, and robust whisky brimming with intense flavors and aromas. Bottled at 43% ABV. Color: Rich Amber The aroma presents the typical Dalmore scents of orange marmalade, dark chocolate, and toffee. Additionally, there are hints of candied fruits, caramel, and a touch of oak. The characteristics of these scents are exceptionally abundant. The palate is silky smooth, full of the rich Dalmore notes of orange citrus, dark chocolate, coffee, candied red fruits, baking spices, and oak, along with a strong sherry presence. The finish is long and warming with a powerful sherry character. Dark chocolate, coffee, and oak notes persist along with fading citrus scents.

Dalmore has a rich heritage and a dedicated following, but also faces criticism, often regarding E150 usage. Personally, I dislike added color, but I'm even more opposed to chill filtration. Since it's been a while since my last Dalmore, I'm keen to try this expression. Nose - I don't find this the most pleasant aroma; it's somewhat off-putting. It starts with floral, sweet hints before moving to anise, brown sugar, hay, grass, earth, and peat. Palate - Not overwhelming, but full of flavor. It has a light mouthfeel that becomes creamier the longer it's held. Finish - Medium in length. The sweetness is dominant but quickly shifts to a sour profile. Flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and sour apples linger. A decent whisky that I wouldn't refuse if offered. I'm glad to have tried a sample, though I don't see it as essential for my collection. "Tasty": 3.25 stars | Above average.

A sophisticated, premium spirit. Nearly a perfect score, with a nose quite distinct from the palate, clearly indicating its beautiful creation. Presented at 43% alcohol by volume, with a polished auburn mahogany hue. On the nose, it's very special. Fresh cherry syrup (a first for me), recently baked vanilla cake, a subtle sweet licorice note, jelly beans, nutmeg, and sugar. A lovely aroma, though a bit subdued. On the palate, it's fine, but I believe it could be improved. It begins with aged citrus notes, oranges, and old raisins. Woody, very woody. A bonfire-like finish, an ashy finish. Sophisticated and slightly dry, with a subtle peppery note. The finish is very long, which is the best attribute of this dram. Overall, this elegant dram earns a 94 out of 100, a fitting score for one of my preferred brands. Cheers!

A rich Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Dalmore Distillery in the Highlands of Scotland. It was initially matured for 14 years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, then transferred to 30-year-old Matusalem Oloroso sherry wood for an additional 4 years. The sea-facing traditional dunnage warehouses are located at sea level and are enveloped by salty air. It has a rich and aromatic birth with notes of orange, wine, malt, almonds, toffee, baked bread, and mild smoke and wood. Its rich and fruity life adds notes of old sherry, spice, iodine, oak, chocolate, coffee, and orange zest, leading to a long and rich death with notes of caramel, pear, cinnamon, fruit cake, coffee, and dark chocolate. April / June 2019 / August 2022.