The Dalmore by Ian MacLeod, Single Cask Strength, 2009 vintage, The Goat.

A collection from this brand included three single casks from a favored distillery, known for lower proof releases. This expression is the true essence of that distillery's excellent spirit, bottled at Cask Strength, part of a set I nicknamed the Eagle, the Goat, and the Pearl due to their striking labels. This marks my second tasting from the set, this time focusing on the GOAT. It's a 58.4% ABV bottling, limited to just 285 units, from the 2009 vintage, making it an 8-year-old. The aroma is striking, starting with a pronounced orange scent, accompanied by chocolate and hazelnut. Classic notes of sweet plums, glue, coffee, and Nutella were present, delivered with intensity. After a few sips, the scent evolved to include milk powder, metallic notes, gooseberries, and butter. The taste is exceptional, featuring orange, milk powder, ginger, chocolate, and a hint of wet paint. It's intensely sweet, evoking a Pavlova dessert with a balance of tartness and sweetness. The finish is surprisingly salty, with notes of ginger, star anise, bitter dark chocolate, green tea, grass, and almonds. I'd venture to guess an amontillado sherry cask was used, given the distinct tart orange notes; I was truly surprised. It's an incredible whisky, only slightly less perfect than the first from this collection (The Eagle). A dream realized: the heart of the distillery from an independent bottler. My rating is 97 out of 100.