Dalmore 15

Intro:

First it is matured for 12 years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks. Then the whisky is equally split between three different sherry woods: amoroso, apostoles and natusalem oloroso for a further three years. After that it is married together in a big sherry butt.

 

Price: around 60 €/$/£

 

Coloured - Chill Filtered

 

40% ABV (alcohol by volume)

 

Nose:

I noticed that it was pretty shallow..

There are good notes in here don't get me wrong but I expected more.

There is a lot of spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe a little ginger.

Lovely fruitcake type nose with biscuits.

There are sherry notes, and maybe some hints of orange type fruits.

It's one dimensional but all the notes that are there are amazing.

The different sherry types did some good things. 

I can only imagine what they would bring if it was at a higher ABV.

When I first nosed it when I opend the bottle it was pretty harsh but after a some time and air in the bottle it mellowed down and became more enjoyable.

 

 

Taste:

While the noste is pretty one dimensional, the taste is a different story...

The mouthfeel is pretty good for a chill filtered and 40% scotch, not to bad!

From the start there are baking spices with bread and cookies, reminds me of Christmas bread.

After that wood starts to make its way in together with dark red fruits and some milk chocolate.

Following them is some honey and vanilla sweetness.

I don't find bitter tannins or deep dark chocolate so I think there is no third or more fill casks in here, not sure though.

I expected more honey and vanilla sinds it was in ex-bourbon casks for 12 years, guess the sherry was to powerfull, I don't mind that in this case haha.

 

 

Finish/aftertaste:

In the end it gets a little dry and with some sherry and honey sweetness.

A little malt is comming up in the backround.

Oak is also present.

 

 

Water:

Water makes this whisky even better, it opens is up just that bit more and then you notice what this whisky really is.

I suggest to add a couple drops and let it breath for 15 mins and it is beautifull

 

 

Summary:

Yes, Dalmore does have it's flaws, BUT, the whisky they make is damm good.

The colouring is strong with this one yes and I would love to see every whisky o' naturel but that is not going to happen any time soon.

The only thing I would love to see is Dalmore upping the ABV on their whisky's.

They would be even better.

If you want Christmas in a bottle this is the one to get, for sure!

 

7.9/10 without water

8.5/10 with water