Dalmore 2003 Vintage (Bottled 2022) / 46.9% / 0.7l

Dalmore is currently the 16th best-selling single malt with around 1.7 million bottles sold.

The distillery is based in Alness in the northern Highlands and has been in operation since 1839. It currently has a distilling capacity of over 4 million litres of alcohol per year, much of which goes into Whyte & Mackay’s blends. The Dalmore’s single malt character is often attributed to its use of sherry casks in the maturation process, although a significant proportion of the spirit begins its maturation in bourbon casks. The man to whom Dalmore owes its current success is Richard Paterson, commonly known as ‘The Nose’. Distilled in 2003 after years in American oak casks, this whisky was matured in Matusalem and Amoroso sherry casks, as well as Rivesaltes and small batch bourbon casks. It was bottled at 46.9% abv in 2022.

Nose: Manuka honey, vanilla sticks, toffee, caramel, stewed plums, raisins, candied orange peel, milk chocolate, cinnamon, cloves and oak.

Palate : maple syrup, honey, vanilla, black cherries, blackberries, chocolate-covered raisins, fruit candy, allspice, cinnamon, sherry and oak.

Finish: quite long, with notes of honey, toffee, orange jam, candied citrus, sweet spices, sherry and oak.