Scotch: The Dalmore 12 Year

While the focus of this site is primarily on reviews of beer and wine (the staples), we do occasionally enjoy other beverages (particularly Scotch), and will post reviews as well.  If you are looking for a regular Scotch whisky review, I recommend subscribing to The Scotchcast.  My regular Scotch purchase this time led me to The Dalmore, and I happened to get a Dalmore glass along with it, complete with stag's head logo and a thick glass bottom, from which I will be trying the Scotch.  The glass does have a slight tulip shape, adding to my ability to nose the Scotch a bit.

Distillery: The Dalmore Distillery  Alness, Ross-shire, Scotland

Overview: The Dalmore Distillery has been making malt whisky since 1839.  The Dalmore distills using copper stills and then ages the whisky in Spanish oak sherry wood casks. The Dalmore distillery is heavily associated with the Clan MacKenzie, sharing the stag's head on the bottle that adorns the MacKenzie coat of arms.

Neat:
Nose: Dark fruits are predominant.  Some mild spice and a hint of maple syrup in the end.  Sherry definitely is hidden in there, with a quite forward black cherry.  Mild hint of salt. A worn piece of shoe leather and a few old books round out the nose for quite a balance with the sweetness.

Appearance: Dark amber, some gold and copper highlights like a clover honey.  Does run the glass some, not too watery.

Flavor: Extremely mild up front, with a hint of sweetness.  Finish is long and leaves salt and some burn on the tongue and throat.  Dark fruits are present, but slight, perhaps mixed with figs.  Perhaps a hint of clove, cinnamon, and other spiciness in the mouth.  What's interesting is there is absolutely no burn with the Scotch in the mouth until swallowing, and the vapors of the finish provide the alcohol warmth.

With Water:
Nose: Salt is gone, but still a very nice balance of roasting dark fruits in a library lined with dark woods and old books. 

Appearance: Water does not really change appearance at all.  Perhaps lightens the gold characteristics.

Flavor:A little more smoke is present with the water, which is strange (or perhaps I didn't notice before), but the burn is entirely gone.  The flavor, however, is not.  Some honey sweetness starts to come out of the flavor. Very creamy feel in the mouth.

Overall Impression: My preference is always for the lighter Scotches, which tends towards the Speysides, but occasionally drifts to the Highlands, Lowlands, and last the Islays.  The Dalmore was, as are many of my Scotch purchases outside of my preferred small set of "standards," an impulse buy at the store, but it was a very good choice nevertheless.  This Scotch has a wonderful complexity to it, but is not overwhelming with any particular flavor, and its balance carries over well to the addition of water, which, with this whisky, is my preference.  The complex flavors are there, but with substantially less burn in the finish.

Vitals:
Style Highland Single Malt
Maturation Age 12 Years
Price $44.00
Found In Local Liquor Store
Alcohol Content 40% by volume