Dalmore 25 Year

Occasionally, you get to taste a truly remarkable whisky, and sometimes they meet expectations. This 25-year-old bottling is very expensive, making you think, 'someday I'll have a dram of that.' Until then, you wait patiently, hoping it eventually happens. My chance came at a bar in Scotland, where the whisky is often cheaper than online, and you can purchase a single pour without buying the whole bottle. This bottling, released recently, was first matured in American White Oak casks, then finished in a combination of Palomino Fino Sherry and ex-Bourbon barrels. But was it any good? Let's see... Bottled at an unusual 42% ABV, which is a bit uncommon, especially for this brand. On the nose, it is PERFECT. It's like a fig was placed directly into my nose and brain by an angel. Figs everywhere, marmalade, blackberry jam; and very fresh raisins, the juicy purple kind. On the palate, it's also great, with a clean nutty/almond note. Very easy to drink, very wine-like, and feels very dry. The wine profile is dominant. The aftertaste was also perfect. The finish had amazing fig, almond, and wine notes; incredibly velvety, smooth, and beautiful. There's a very clean and pleasant tobacco note. Overall, this is an amazing dram that lived up to all expectations. It's certainly expensive, but having had one glass, I can cross it off my bucket list. 98 out of 100. Cheers!

Exceptional product. Matured in a combination of palomino fino, port, and first-fill bourbon barrels. Nose: Citrus, caramel, cocoa, shortbread, raspberries, cherries, nectarines, vanilla, roses, lavender, white grapes, almonds, walnuts, nutmeg, mulling spices, plums, red apples, figs. Palate: Citrus, raisins, cherries, blackcurrants, dark chocolate, honey, caramel, pepper, nutmeg, hazelnuts, peaches, apricots, coconuts. Finish: Raisins, pepper, mulling spices, citrus, dark chocolate, caramel, red apples, pecans, bananas. To enhance it, I had it alongside a 2000s assemblage and the 35-year-old; this was my least preferred of the three, so at this point, I was just beginning to explore the ultra-premium Dalmores.

Damn, that is delicious. The patrons near me purchased a round for us. Wow, that beverage is incredible.

The bottle costs $2,000, and the whisky is great, but not worth that price.

Outstanding. Smooth and delicate, yet rich and complex.

Citrus zest and cocoa candies