Dalmore Port Wood Reserve

Review #047 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46.5% Details: No Age Statement, American white oak maturation and tawny port finish Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Deep brown color. When swirled, a thick coating clings to the glass, with slow-forming legs. Nose: 17/20 Abundant fruit notes, primarily cherries, raisins, plums, and strawberries. Also present are sugary notes like brown sugar, molasses, and milk chocolate. While there's a lot happening, it remains quite inviting and subtly complex. Palate: 35/40 Stewed prunes come to mind immediately with the first taste. The fruit flavors are not fresh; they are all deep, cooked, fermented, and delightful, almost syrupy but not excessively sweet. Oak tannins, milk chocolate, and cinnamon appear after a moment. The palate shifts from dark and rich to very light and airy, reminiscent of the sweet yet crisp finish of a dark soda like cola or root beer. Finish: 31/40 Medium-length finish. More oak spice precedes a finish of nutty, creamy milk chocolate. It's straightforward yet pleasing and appropriately timed for its profile. With Water: A few drops diminish the flavors on the palate, making it resemble cream soda more. Walnut flavor is more prominent on the finish, along with a hint of sea-salted caramel. Total: 83/100 Final thoughts: This tasting is from the initial pour, and it's truly the only Dalmore I've genuinely enjoyed besides the Dalmore Cigar Malt. The value isn't outstanding for what this bottle offers, but I managed to get it at a discount by combining sales and coupons, so I'm satisfied with the price paid. I have yet to find a Dalmore that is a good purchase at its full retail price. Overall, this is a pleasant port-forward whisky, very flavorful and easy to drink. It would be improved with a longer and more intricate finish. Price: $77 Would recommend: yes Would buy: maybe Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

This expression marks a shift for Dalmore, typically known for sherry-aged whiskies. Here, they've opted for port aging. It's my first no-age-statement Dalmore, and notably, the only one I've encountered above 40% ABV, which is a welcome change. Let's see how it performs. Nose: Blackberry, black currant, raspberry, raisin, date, fig, and plum. Orange citrus and apple. Strong molasses/sugar cane. Milk chocolate, caramel, fudge, cocoa, vanilla, toffee, custard, butterscotch, and cola. Chocolate syrup. Cranberry sauce. Macadamia nut. A minty/peppermint note. Absence of black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: Apple, apricot, raisin, date, fig, red grape, blackberry, black currant, and raspberry. Notes of cantaloupe, honeydew, orange, and pineapple. Toffee, honey, caramel, milk chocolate, vanilla, and butterscotch. Almond, peanut, and macadamia. Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Apple, raspberry, blackberry. Vanilla, caramel, milk chocolate, and toffee. Orange citrus. Cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. A moderately long finish—actually above average. Comparing this to the 12 and 15-year-old expressions, this receives my highest score. Should Dalmore exclusively use Port? I'm unsure. However, it's clear they should abandon their 40% ABV bottlings for higher-proof versions. This works well, and while one could attribute success to sherry oak or age statements, a more unadulterated expression of a distillery's spirit will always stand out against mass-produced, diluted offerings. 4.25/5. $100 is steep for a no-age-statement whisky, but I consider this a better value than the 15-year-old, given it's less expensive and has a higher ABV. My preferred Dalmore to date. Well done.

Aroma: Grape juice, raisins, cranberries, black currants, cherries, toffee, caramel, with some subtle oak notes. The aroma takes time to develop depth and intensity, but the individual scents eventually blend into a general 'fruit/wine/caramel' character. Taste: A sweet start that builds with bittersweet qualities. Chocolate, prunes, chinotto (!), and some herbal notes. The texture is full and substantial, but over time, bitter tannic flavors become more apparent, and like the aroma, burnt caramel emerges as a dominant characteristic. Finish: Medium. Chocolate, coffee, and a trace of sulfur in the aftertaste, along with caramel. This whisky felt indistinct and unfocused, leaving me unsatisfied. The wine cask influence has masked the spirit's characteristic orange notes, which is unfortunate. Overall, it seemed like a busy and heavy-handed expression. The most significant issue was the burnt caramel/toffee flavor that increasingly dominated the experience. It's unclear if this originated from the port pipe, but it strongly resembled the taste of excessive e150a caramel coloring. It's quite average and not one of Dalmore's best. I'm relieved I only had a 30ml sample and not a full bottle. "Average": 77/100 (2.5 stars)

This Dalmore is my second favorite from the 12-15-Portwood selection, with the 12 being my top choice. The aroma is very sweet, featuring fresh dark fruits like plums, cherries, and other berries, unlike the dried fruit notes found in the 12 and other sherry cask matured whiskies. Port wine cask matured bottles typically offer a fresher, juicier fruit profile compared to the richer, drier, buttery fruit of sherried bottles. A subtle coffee aroma is sometimes present, more noticeable in the finish, with occasional hints of vanilla and caramel. Adding water enhances the caramel notes significantly. The palate delivers on the aroma's promise with an added citrus zest. The higher 46.5% ABV contributes to a noticeable warmth. Water brings out earthy, roasted flavors. The finish is more coffee-like, gentle, with a sour citrus or grapefruit note, similar to the lingering sensation of grapefruit after the juice has been swallowed. In conclusion, I really like this bottle, though I still prefer the 12, possibly due to a bias. My next tasting will be the 18, which shares the same maturation as the 12 but with a longer aging period.

Initially, the appearance and container of Port Wood drew me in. The Dalmore Port Wood, scarce in my region, stands apart from other scotches due to its deeper brown tone. Its mahogany shade originates from its maturation period in port wine barrels. Upon opening the bottle, scents of honey and caramel emerge. These aromas intensify after pouring and allowing it to rest. Beneath the prominent honey and caramel, a rich bouquet exists with a trace of what I'd call a "cake" fragrance. The initial taste is wonderfully rich, but a tartness swiftly transitions it to a spicy character. The tart, burning feeling left in the throat is a complex sensation that's difficult to articulate. Dalmore Port Wood, which feels distinct even before uncorking, sets itself apart with its scent, flavor, and lasting aroma.

Aroma - As expected, I detect port/sherry type notes, red fruits, and some oak. Palate - Great mouthfeel, vanilla, red fruits/berry, and very subtle malt (it's understated due to the American Oak and Port Pipes, which is great for someone new to Scotch who isn't a big fan of malt). Finish - The finish was the most disappointing part for me as I found it to be quite short (even at the elevated 46% ABV) - likely indicating it's quite young. Overall - Very enjoyable, excellent quality and flavor (I really liked that it doesn't taste like bourbon, as I sometimes get overwhelming oak notes from ex-bourbon casks, and this one didn't have that. (I prefer my scotch to taste like scotch and my bourbon to taste like bourbon). However, I wish the finish lasted a bit longer. A great scotch overall.