Dalmore 1999 15 Year (Alexander Murray & Co.)

Why does that one fellow not put out spirits like this? I finally get to try a spirit from Dalmore distillery that is not chill filtered and has no added color. An independent bottler, Alexander Murray, put out this 15-year-old single malt at a very robust 55.6% ABV. I don't think much Dalmore makes it to many IBs, so this sample from my friend is a special opportunity for me. I also think he got this bottle for about $60, which is amazing. It is mostly from reused ex-bourbon barrels and reused sherry butts. This spirit is the color of a new penny, copper, and it's quite viscous. Very thin legs and numerous small beads suggest the higher alcohol content. The aroma starts with subtle sherry cask notes, bubblegum, and a raspberry smoothie. There's a good foundation of brown sugar and apple pie crust, perhaps graham crackers. The taste is both fruity and spicy. Orange marmalade, Sunkist raisins (yes, with that artificial flavor), and caramel. The intensity and power of the ABV introduce pepper spice and wood notes if you let it rest on your tongue. By the middle of the sip, it's intense all over your mouth. It requires water, but I'm too old and set in my ways to add any. The finish is long and very drying. After the burn fades, or you dilute it with water, you still encounter orange and toffee flavors. This spirit made me wonder if Dalmore should increase their distillery releases like this, or if I should just lower my expectations for the standard offerings. I have an inexplicable fondness for Dalmore, and this release truly showcases what comes out of the casks BEFORE that one fellow starts altering them. I appreciate this presentation, although it's certainly too strong at this proof, but I'd be delighted to spend the day slowly adding water to discover the ideal balance. In my opinion, every official Dalmore release needs more strength, but there must be a better level than what most distillery releases provide at 40-44%. However, this was a true pleasure for me. Thanks again, friend. 4.25 stars as it is, but I believe a little experimentation could definitely improve that rating. Cheers.

Tonight's review is of the Alexander Murray-bottled Dalmore 15. I have quite a few bottles produced by Alexander Murray and am glad to finally be reviewing one I enjoy! This was one of my favorites when I picked it up, so I'm enjoying considering how it's changed over time. This is bottled at 55.6% ABV and I don't believe it's chill filtered or colored. Purchased for $59.99 at Costco, which is an incredible bargain compared to what a cask strength Dalmore would regularly cost (if they even exist!). My detailed thoughts and rating below: Dalmore 15 Year - Alexander Murray 1999 - 55.6% ABV Nose: Complex fruity and malty nose. Sweet pear jam and dusty old graham crackers. Brown sugar. Flowers. Butter. Raisins and wine. There's some heat noticeable. Taste: Graham crackers and butter. Black pepper, baking spices, and a little jam. Olive oil? Keeping the whisky in my mouth a little while adds more tannins and a tiny bit of brine and sour tang. The texture is nice and oily and the finish is medium-long, although a little too focused on pepper and heat. Altogether, this is a great whisky! I hear that Dalmore usually colors and filters the hell out of their whisky, so I'm excited to report that this one felt very natural and oily. The overall product could be a little more cohesive and provide a more enjoyable finish. Current rating: 89/100

Continuing my explorations of whiskies from independent bottlers, I sampled a 1999, 15-year-old Dalmore bottled at cask strength by Alexander Murray. This visually appealing bottle (though not as striking as the official Dalmore distillery bottlings) was matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks, and bottled at 55.6% ABV. The nose exhibits the Dalmore character prominently, but with more fruit. Prunes, green apples, the signature Dalmore orange note. Chocolate milk powder (formula), hazelnut, banana bread, almonds. Honey, marzipan, and wedding cake – the expected wonderful aromas from most single malts from this distillery. The palate is delicious. Hay, hazelnut, and spectacular chocolate. A very spongy vanilla cake. Simple yet amazing. The finish is also great, with notes of figs, sawdust, and pepper. Vanilla, almonds, and ginger spice. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this dram. It's like the standard 15-year-old Dalmore amplified. The notes are very clear and well-presented. This is my first whisky from Alexander Murray, and it impressed me. My rating is 93 out of 100.

“Whiskey 🥃 Grilling Time Review!” Dalmore 15 Year Alexander Murray Single Malt Cask Strength Distilled in 1999 Barrels: Matured in Ex-Bourbon and Multiple Ex-Sherry Casks ABV: 55.9% Taste Notes: Nose: Tastes like chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream 🍨 with molasses and vanilla bean. It reminds me of walking into Farrs Ice Cream Polar on a summer day. Front: A sweet rush of vanilla and dried fruit, followed by banana split and baking spices. Back/Finish: Smoky honey BBQ concludes this wonderfully complex experience. The cask strength provides a substantial mouthfeel and a lasting finish. This is definitely a sipper, and I don't think I'll return to other Dalmore expressions now. Cheers to Vadim Perlovskiy, my good sir “May every hair on your head turn into a candle to light your way to heaven, and may God and His Holy Mother take the harm of the years away from you salud!”

An intense Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Dalmore Distillery in Scotland's Highlands, distilled in 1999. It was matured in a combination of Ex-Bourbon and Oloroso casks, then finished in Sherry casks from the renowned Gonzales Byass Bodega in Jerez. Alexander Murray of California bottled it at 55.6% ABV. The aromatic beginning features notes of cinnamon, demerara sugar, and a hint of orange peel. The dry, woody development adds dark chocolate, orange, spice, hints of raisin, cardamom, and tobacco, leading to a long, bold finish with notes of cigar box, spice, heavily spiced Christmas cake, and rich oak. September 2020 / August 2022

The aroma is intensely sweet, reminiscent of sugar frosting atop an orange cake. Hints of honey are also present. On the palate, notes of chocolate, smoke, and even licorice emerge. It's a rather peculiar whiskey, perhaps suited for a specific audience.