Dalmore 15 Year Review
Shelf Review
Designed to give you all the quick hit information you need when you’re standing in front of your local liquor store’s whisky shelf.
Dalmore is a brand with a complicated relationship with whisky enthusiasts. Many argue that their overly sherried, sweet malts and low ABV can make them more “beginners” bottles than those made for true whisky nerds. That being said, Dalmore is also known for being one of the only brands out there to consistently release vintage casks that regularly are over 40 years old – appealing to ultra-wealthy collectors all around the world. So how can a brand be both highly sought after at the highest whisky levels and dismissed by the more general whisky community? Let’s dive into their 15 year old example to see if we can find out.
As a note: I was actually given the last of a bottle by a good friend of mine so this review is using the last 100ml of the bottle.
Age: 15 Years
ABV: 40%
Cask: American bourbon cask and finished in sherry casks
MSRP: $129.99
Distillery Name: The Dalmore
Review Date: 7/25/22
Nose: Bright, zesty, sherry rancio mixed with cherry fruit roll up and melted jolly watermelon jolly rancher. That artificial fruit and candied sugar settles into a fresh leather and sherry funk.
Palate: Initially soft on the tongue before building flavors of dark molasses, cherry, plumbs, and a typical sherry profile. The second sip features more candied walnuts, burnt rubber, and overripe fruit. On the front end the mouthfeel is watery, but improves as it moves into the finish.
Finish: Medium length finish with a thick syrupy texture that clings to the throat. Notes of burnt fruit cup, baking spices, and a touch of star anise.
