Mmmm…Scotch.

Here we have The Dalmore – owned by Whyte & Mackay, which is in turn owned by India’s United Breweries (UB).  Did you know; India is the world’s largest market for whisky?  Most that is sold there consists of domestic products such as UB’s ‘Kingfisher’ whisky and not necessarily Scotch because high taxes make imports too expensive for most locals.

I’ll take the Dalmore though.  The iconic stag on its bottle is a hold over from its original owners – the Clan Mackenzie.  It’s on every bottle made at the distillery located north of Inverness and on the ‘Firth of Cromarty’.  I know – I had to look it up on a map too.

The Dalmore is pale amber with slender legs.  The nose has medium plus intense aromas of honey, orange zest, flower, vanilla and clove.  Having spent 15 years ageing in sherry casks, it’s a dapper, gorgeous drink.  The palate is dry and warming with medium body and medium plus flavours of more honey, cider spices (more vanilla and clove alongside ginger), dried flowers and a cognac-like dustiness.

The finish is delicious and medium plus in length.

WSET Very Good.