The Dalmore 1263 Custodian, Milllenium Reserve

Many critics claim Dalmore's low alcohol content is its downfall. I disagree; I've loved Dalmore since my first taste. However, this particular bottle, a Distillery release Cask Strength, might be what those critics were anticipating. Bottled at 57.7% ABV, this 12-year-old Dalmore 1263 The Custodian Millennium Release is a Cask Strength bottling, originally produced in the year 2000 with a limited number of bottles. Partially aged in Matusalem sherry casks, I suspect it will be excellent. It was exclusively available to Dalmore Custodians, a membership group. On the nose, the aroma is absolutely incredible! Coffee, cocoa, Nutella, and wafer. It's like coffee with milk. Toffee. Cherry syrup, prunes, dates, and candied fruits. It presents the most potent, dark, and wonderful aroma imaginable. On the palate, it was unbelievable. Chocolate, hazelnut, Nutella; intensely wine-like. Dates, raisins, and dulce de leche, all delivered with immense power. Fantastic. The finish was WILD. Tangy prunes, grassy notes; wine and... VINEGAR? OLIVE OIL, olives. It has a Martini-like quality, quite peculiar and intriguing. Very unusual. Superb. Let me share this: I offered this dram at a tasting event to 15 other individuals. Eight of them named it Whisky of the night, while the other seven disliked it. Everyone agreed it had the best nose ever encountered in whisky, but the vinegar in the finish was divisive. For me, it was fitting for an amazing and interesting dram; it provided something completely novel, which I appreciate. The olives and vinegar were brilliant in my opinion, though I can see how it might be a love-or-hate experience, similar to tasting Laphroaig for the first time. My score isn't 100. It's 102, if such a thing is even possible. Cheers!