Dalmore Dun Bheagan 20yo by Ian MacLeod

A 20-year-old from a specific distillery, what else needs to be said. Many claim this distillery relies on hype and can be disappointing, but that's rarely my experience. I'm a big admirer of the expressions I've tried, and only a very small number have fallen short, perhaps failing to reach a high score. This particular independent bottling, released by a known bottler, is fantastic, and I'm thrilled to try it. Bottled at 46% ABV with an Oloroso cask finish. A limited release of only 669 bottles. The nose is an explosion of cocoa and coffee, with hints of impalpable sugar, Tiramisu, classic orange, tangerine peel, glazed ham, kiwi and cherry candies, BBQ sauce, and meringue. It's heavenly! Tastes like a Tres Leches dessert. So sweet! The palate is more direct but equally amazing. Cocoa butter, hazelnut, and dark chocolate. Glazed white donut and milk chocolate. The aftertaste is sublime. Like chocolate powder, with salt and cherries. A touch of acidity, specifically from prunes. A pleasant metallic note. The finish is eternally long, with milk chocolate. Overall, another superb offering from the independent bottler, who consistently does a great job with their whisky selections. I would feel remiss if I didn't give this incredible 20-year-old single malt, which provided such a delightful tasting experience, a perfect score. A truly great whisky, achieving 100/100.