The Corriemhor Cigar Reserve

There was a period early in my scotch drinking journey when I was quite taken with everything Dalmore, and even the persona of its blender. I found him to be a great character in the whisky world. He's an expert blender, a whisky lover, and a skilled spokesperson. So, when I found this bottle while browsing online, I knew I had to try it. This whisky was that blender's initial attempt at creating a blended spirit designed to pair with cigars. He was working for a company back in the mid-2000s, and this is said to have inspired a well-known Dalmore bottling. The best part is that this can still be purchased for approximately $50 a bottle and it has an 8-year age statement. Good luck determining the age of the malt in the other version, and don't expect to find it anywhere near $50. This particular bottle is 46% ABV and is not chill-filtered, but I suspect plenty of coloring has been added. It has a medium gold hue and appears viscous in the glass. Numerous medium-sized droplets and undefined legs stream down the glass when it's swirled. The nose presents notes of raisins, red berries, apples, and cereal grains after a bit of time to open up. Freshly cut oak is present and provides a good base. Hints of toffee and caramel are also noticeable. The palate is an excellent sherry-forward experience. There's butterscotch and chocolate-covered oranges, fresh apples, and more toffee sweetness as you move through the sip. The mouthfeel is smooth yet slightly thin, and the 46% ABV delivers a pleasant warmth and bite. The finish is medium-long with a welcome warmth as the last of the liquid fades. A lingering sweetness precedes a light bitterness. This final touch hints at the youth of the spirit, but it's not unpleasant. Ultimately, this is what the other Dalmore bottling should aim to achieve. It's remarkable that bottles of this can still be found online from the UK. In fact, I suggest bypassing the Dalmore Cigar Malt, saving yourself over $60, and choosing this one instead. It offers a similar experience for half the price. What's not to love? A score of 4 to 4.25 stars. Enjoy.

My tasting experiences have been quite erratic lately, perhaps reflecting my general rhythm in life. Tonight, I've rediscovered my former tasting cadence, though I suspect it's only temporary. I hope things will stabilize soon, as many things are happening in my life right now. This sample has been waiting, reminiscent of the SDT days, which feels like ages ago. I believe I've lost about three-quarters of an ounce. So, before any more evaporates, I decided to taste it. It immediately presents sherry and ripe red fruit aromas. Notes of raisins, apples, and red raspberries are present. A sugary layer envelops the fruity scents, with hints of vanilla, caramel, and light brown sugar. Naturally, there are cereal notes of oats and barley. If you were to conceptualize a heart-healthy breakfast, these aromatic components would form its essence. The palate is immediately sweet and spicy, though the sweetness dominates the spice. Initially, it's almost excessively sweet. However, the mild spice gradually intensifies. Flavors of crème brûlée, orange zest, milk chocolate, apples, and pears emerge, similar in that regard to Glenlivet 12. Fresh ginger and white pepper provide the spicy dimension on the palate. All of this is presented with a light body and a smooth texture. The lingering finish is of a decent length, featuring notes of bitter orange, oak tannins, vanilla, and the faintest traces of apple. This is a delightful dram. It's youthful and vibrant. A few more years in the cask would be intriguing and could lead to a more profound depth. The sweetness would certainly complement a mild cigar well. It's reminiscent of Dalmore with some Glenlivet characteristics. Quite enjoyable. Thanks to a friend for the sample. [88/100][Tasted: 4/29/22]

Perhaps this bottle has been open for some time, as I'm not really detecting the flavors mentioned by a previous reviewer. It's a lighter, somewhat muddled dram; neither bad nor great, just lacking distinct character. It's a pleasant warming, lightly flavored dram with an odd aftereffect. It warms each side of the tongue but leaves the middle quite bare. My opinion of Dalmore hasn't changed! Thanks to a friend, now on to something magnificent....