Another trio of Dalmore


March 1, 2023

Another trio of Dalmore

Looking for oranges while trying to forget about the 'price record' stunts… And while thinking of the flathead stills. By the way, no more indie Dalmore around, that's a shame as thanks to them, you could try the make 'al natural', which is always a good idea when the distillate's as classy as Dalmore's.

Dalmore's lovely Commer truck in 2013 (WF Archive)

Dalmore 15 yo (40%, OB, +/-2022)

Another expression that we 'follow'. Last time that was in 2016 (WF 84, good score) and I believe a 7 years gap is perfect. Colour: deep gold. Nose: Dalmore, we've always loved this make, even when they were burying it under silly sweet sherries and whatnot. Frankly, it's a magnificent nose, with just the right amounts of orange juice, menthol, bitter chocolate and earthy coffee. The balance here is utterly perfect. No, I get no obvious 'spirit caramel'. Mouth: have they not further improved the recipe? Jaffa cakes all over the place, tangerines, citron liqueur, herbal teas (rosehip), chocolates of all kinds, truffles, ganaches, and in the background, ideas of cigars plus echoes of black tea Assam-style, Finish: not too long, but with reminiscences of the best old Cragganmores, for reasons I couldn't explain. Comments: great surprises happen, even with overworked old names. Just forget about anything even remotely 'lifestyle'.
SGP:551 - 87 points.

Dalmore 'King Alexander III' (40%, OB, +/-2022)

This one's way too expensive given that it's a very pedestrian NAS. No NAS should go over £100 or you're only paying for the marketing. No, not even for the stories now that they can use ChatGPT. Colour: amber. Nose: we're far from the mush fresher 15, with less of the trademark chocolate and oranges, and rather more fudge, caramel, struck matches and old teas. Not quite a fan this time. Mouth: a little better, more liqueury, but it's lacking the 15's high definition. Molasses, corn syrup, maple syrup, all this is a little cloying, you'd almost believe they've dosed it up, although that cannot be. After all, it's not rum! Finish: short, drier, a little cardboardy and on English breakfast tea. Comments: let's not exaggerate, it's a very fine dram, but the price is a little pathetic (250€ or something - but of course). Earlier batches have been better in my book.
SGP:551 - 80 points.

And we're having this…

Dalmore 10 yo 2008 'Madeira Finish' (46%, OB, +/-2018)

Another humble finishing, while I don't think they've told us about the Madeira. It's true, there are so many different kinds of Madeira! Now, in my meagre experience, Madeira tended to work better than many other fortified wines. Colour: full gold. Nose: typical mustardy sauce, with sour cream, cabbage water, cigars, turmeric, asparagus, plastics, fumes, leather… Indeed you could call it 'Mr A Little Dirty'. Nice spicy marmalade in the background, plus obviously a vinous side. Mouth: seriously, it's fine, sweet and mustardy, with some ginger and some marmalade, some pepper, some sour fruits (green apples) and fresh walnuts. Tarte tatin too (say that quick). Finish: long, on walnuts, honey, marmalade and pepper. The aftertaste is even more peppery and with a little honeyed curry or something. Comments: not very necessary, I would say, but they did it finely. As long as they do not start to tackle all Alsatian varietals… Have they already done primitivo/zinfandel, by the way? We can't wait (insert updated vision of Dante's inferno here).
SGP:551 - 83 points.

Check the index of all Dalmore we've tasted so far