Dalmore Luceo

This is the third in the Fortuna Meritas travel exclusive collection from Dalmore (the others being Valour, Regalis, and the amazing Dominium). It's amazing on the nose but doesn't quite deliver on the palate. Still a good drink. Bottled at 40% ABV with a tawny, almost deep copper color. The nose is absolutely fantastic, a perfect score here: amazing chocolate notes, cherries coated in chocolate, caramel, oranges, chocolate powder, and dry cherries. Hazelnut is present, with no alcohol notes whatsoever. Even if it's not as intense as some others, it's amazing. Cocoa and vanilla essence emerge after a while. On the palate, it's too thin with chocolate. It feels buttery on the tongue and is superbly sweet, making it easy to drink. It's a little watery, perhaps too much so. Coffee beans are present. The aftertaste is lovely but short, with cinnamon and powder. Overall, this could be so much better given the spectacular nose. It doesn't feel like a traditional Dalmore as the raisins and figs are absent. Scored 87 out of 100.

Not as complex as one might anticipate, yet it is very warming, smooth, and sweet. It's a bit too sharp for travel retail. The palate feels full, excessively sweet, and truly saccharine. Notes of baked apples with honey, coffee, and some raisins are present. The finish isn't remarkable, offering a slight touch of pepper and spicy caramel.

It has a bitter taste, which I enjoy. The flavor persists on the palate. Not sweet to me at all. Very spicy. Highly recommended. A very good dram.

I found this somewhat subdued - with dried fruits and nuts present throughout and a degree of sweetness on the palate. Not Dalmore's finest in my estimation, but not poor either.

Supposedly a bottle intended only for airport sales, now discontinued.