Dalmore Luminary No. 1 - 2022 Edition

When Dalmore releases something I can obtain, I try to get it right away. I'm aware some aficionados criticize Dalmore as overpriced and overrated, but I generally find their releases to be quite good. That said, I've experienced some letdowns with expressions from "my first love." My initial single malt was a Dalmore 12yo, which truly opened my eyes and remains a fantastic single malt, even after trying many others. They've now put out this attractive bottle with significant promotion, inspired by the architectural designs of Kengo Kuma. Dalmore also introduced a very high-end, inaccessible expression named Luminary No.1, featuring a Kengo Kuma-style wooden pedestal. This is the more accessible, 15-year-old expression, also called Dalmore Luminary No1, which can be confusing. It's bottled at 46.8% ABV. The aroma is a wonderful tiramisu, precisely like a vanilla and cookie cake with hazelnut. I also detect tobacco, milk cream, hazelnut, and deep raisins. The nose is superb. The palate is absolutely flawless. Extraordinary orange marmalade, tart fruits, and tangerine. After the initial taste, I get orange caramel, very elegant and beautiful, with an unbelievably velvety texture. The finish offers a good twist, altering the whisky's direction. Tobacco, tart orange marvel, cigarettes, hay, and a cowboy feel. It's amazing. I wouldn't identify this as a Dalmore in a blind test. Overall, it was impressive. I managed to get a sample from a store at Amsterdam Airport. I deeply regret not buying the full bottle, though it's a bit pricey, it's absolutely worth it. It even makes a good investment, which I always recommend after tasting an expression. My rating for this incredible dram is 94 out of 100.