The Dalmore The Dalmore Aged 12 Years NV 750ml

Opening whiffs detect scents of toasted cereal grains and biscuit batter; air contact stimulates deeper aromas of peanut butter, buttered popcorn, wheat toast and lanolin. Palate entry is sweet, maple-like and sappy; the midpalate features oily flavors of roasted nuts, sautéed butter and nougat. Ends on a nutty, near honeyed note, with a trace of cigarette tobacco.

Half the whisky was aged in bourbon barrels, the other half in sherry casks. This whisky has always been on my short list as one of the finest, most affordable 12 year old single malts available. While the price may have gone up a bit (I remember when it was $20!), the quality remains the same. It’s fresh and lively. A well-balanced dram, with its tell-tale orange marmalade accompanied by tangerine, pineapple upside-down cake, vanilla-soaked barley, subtle brine, and caramel, all leading to a spicy cinnamon and dried vanilla finish. A nice “every day” dram.

Year after year, The Dalmore quietly accepts tremendous praise and accolades from connoisseurs and critics, including the most prestigious spirit competition in the world — the International Wine and Spirit Competition. In fact, The Dalmore just received the highest honors of the IWSC — the 2001 Trophy for Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 years and over. Perhaps it’s time you join the enlightened enthusiasts who recognize The Dalmore as the world’s best tasting Scotch Whisky.

Beautiful copper kettle color; superb purity. I pick up lots of dried fruits in the first inhalations. Entry is much denser than I remember from the last evaluation 11 years ago and for that I'm happy as the taste profile features candied nuts, dried fruits (now pineapple, nectarine), and praline; midpalate is succulent, honeyed, and clearly impacted by oloroso sherry butts from Gonzalez Byass - this is a big-hearted, unabashedly sweet and maple-like malt that's round and supple, even slightly fat. Deserves another rating star and I'm happy to bestow it.