The Dalmore 12 Years Old forms the cornerstone of the north Highland distillery’s core range. The core range currently includes this further age statements at 15-, 18- and 21 Years Old. In addition these are joined by no age statements including the Cigar Malt, Port Wood Reserve and King Alexander III. They also compliment this range with limited edition small batch release, many that are rare or old. The Dalmore 12 Years Old is matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks and finished for three years in ex-Oloroso sherry casks. It was first released in 2008.
The Dalmore distillery is located in the town of Alness in the northern Highlands of Scotland. It was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson and has been owned by the current owners, Whyte & Mackay, since the 1960s. Whyte & Mackay are now part of the Phillipine-owned company Emperador Inc, who also own the Jura, Fettercairn and Tamnavulin single malt and Invergordon single grain distilleries in Scotland. The capacity of The Dalmore is 4.2 million litres per year, although this will shortly double to nine million litres following a three-year expansion and renovation at the distillery.
The whisky produced at The Dalmore is now mostly used within the single malt market, but also contributes to the popular Whyte & Mackay blended range. This was the distillery’s historical purpose. The Dalmore single malt sales have increased rapidly in the last 15 years since they have re-branded and expanded their range. The distillery is well renowned for their use of ex-sherry casks during the maturation process and the whiskies pick up prizes and awards around the globe.
The Dalmore 12 Years Old is bottled at 40% ABV. It is widely available through whisky specialist retailers worldwide and a bottle should cost £70-75.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is dark golden amber and the nose is rich, fragrant and woody. There are plenty of classic sherry cask maturation characteristics – dried raisins, sultanas and dark cherries, caramel and some treacle, cinnamon and nutmeg wood spices. In addition, there are also some distinct orange this is zesty and reminiscent of marmalade, coffee and cocoa aromas.
The palate feels creamy and thick with an initial mix of zingy citrus zest (bitter orange especially), sweet honey and caramel. This gives way to some delicious golden syrup, plenty of dried fruits, especially the raisins and sultana from the nose, and coffee and cocoa notes like creamy hard boiled coffee sweets or a good mocha. The high level of sweetness is balanced a little by wood spice (again cinnamon and nutmeg) and a drying oakiness. The overall combination of elements on the nose and palate is very reminiscent of a spiced fruit cake and feels festively Christmas-like.
The finish is holding the mix of sweetness, fruitiness and spice for what feels like a moderate amount of time, it neither vanishes nor lingers. It is of decent length and becomes a little more woody as the sweeter and fruitier elements fade.
What’s The Verdict?
The Dalmore 12 Years Old is a pleasant whisky and a good example of an ex-sherry cask matured whisky in the 10-15 years category. It has plenty of sweetness, spiciness and fruitiness on the nose and palate. The finish is slightly short but we are splitting hairs. This would be a good whisky to introduce a beginner to the concept and flavours of ex-sherry cask maturation and also for those with a bit of a sweet tooth. A luscious after dinner whisky that would also lend itself to sharing with a cigar, or you could have a look at The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve.
