This Dalmore 1980 vintage was launched in 2009 as a limited edition.

Dalmore 1980 (40%, OB 2009)

Nose: impressive fruity aromas to start with, mainly fresh tangerine and orange cake. Orange squash. Some peach liqueur. Very aromatic. Developing on nutty notes: walnuts, hazelnuts. A hint of ginger and wax. Sherried in very elegant way. I’m impressed. Mouth: just as smooth. More walnuts now and a bit of oak which makes it drier than expected. A bittersweet note (orange peel). Grapefruit. A dash of honey. Some spices (cinnamon, a little pepper, quite some cloves). Overall not too big – I won’t repeat the remarks about the bottling strength this time. Finish: not too long, with dried orange peel, a little pepper and dry oak.

Almost as sophisticated as the Dalmore Master Blender himself. If only the price was a bit softer. One of the best Dalmores I’ve tried so far.
Around € 300.

Score: 88/100

Dalmore 14 yo 1996
(55,5%, Master of Malt 2011)

Nose: sweet with intense barley aromas. Some porridge. Malt. Apples and pears. Punchy spices: pepper with a hint of mint and ginger. After a while hints of gravel show up, and a vague smokiness in the distance which helps the neutral, youngish and slightly spirity nose to stand out a little. Mouth: pretty light and not as sweet as I thought. There are sugary notes but they are countered by spirity notes (pear liqueur, plum eau-de-vie) and a slightly bitter grassiness. Lemon zest and tonic. Again pepper. Finish: medium long, balancing between fruity notes and zesty bitterness.

A young Dalmore that’s natural and not very typical for the distillery in my opinion. On the MoM website it says “sherry cask”… are they sure about that? I can’t figure out why they’ve selected this one. Available from Master of Malt for around € 52.

Score: 78/100

The Dalmore ‘Gran Reserva’
(40%, OB 2008)

Nose: heather and dark chocolate. Rather malty. Orange marmelade. Cake. Hints of sherry and oak. Roasted coffee beans. Mouth: slightly weakish but rich enough. Heather again. Orange notes. Caramel as well (too bad). Vague smoke. Finish: mixture of coffee, dry oloroso sherry and hints of vanilla.

This Dalmore has a nicely roasted, sherried and robust character but it could gain extra points with a higher strength. A point of criticism that’s not new, but still valid in times when other distilleries are switching to 43 and 46% for standard bottlings. Around € 40.

Score: 81/100

This famous Highland Clan owned The Dalmore for almost 100 years, and they are still connected through the family icon, the stag head, which The Dalmore uses to adorn their bottles. The partnership (which will not end after this special release) aims to raise funds to refurbish the Clan’s Castle Leod.

Dalmore Mackenzie 1992 (46%, OB 2010, port finish, 3000 btl.)

Nose: fragrant and fruity with redcurrant, cherry and fresh citrus (oranges, grapefruit). A hint of ginger. Underneath is a subtle aroma of mocha glaze and roasted nuts. Nice. Mouth: on the palate it has more body than on the nose, with lots of spices. It’s nuttier (almonds, hazelnut) and even slightly smoky. Nutmeg and ginger again. Still some fruity notes, but dried fruits this time (prunes). A tad winey. Hints of vanilla. Fades on liquorice. Finish: spicy with a return to candied oranges.

Dalmore Mackenzie is a good example of the Dalmore house style, while at the same time being lifted by the Port influence. Smooth and balanced, but a little expensive. Around € 140.

Score: 85/100