Tastes

Wonderful, long finish with chocolate notes... one of the better whiskies I've had in a while.

Of all the times to be in Edinburgh, and I'm here on Burns Night! I passed on the haggis (again, if there was ever a time to do it)... but the Dalmore 18 was my dram of choice to toast dear old Robbie after dinner at The Royal Mile Tavern. It earns 4 stars for context alone.

Just about as good as any of the Hellyers Road expressions... great distillery, becoming one of my favourites

I'm not sure why you would bottle and then sell an unfinished product. Especially when it is so far away from coming together. I get that it may well one day become a decent whiskey... but right now it's not much fun to drink and that's really the only sensible way to score it. Smoky like a campfire (ie annoying and hurts your eyes)... no peat, just wood that is a long way from becoming integrated. I can't help think that this is sold purely as a tourist novelty... maybe I'll have a slumber party and make manuka honey hot toddys to finish off the bottle.

This is a fine enough Whiskey, and at $150 it would want to be. But at least half of that price seems to be in the cost of the solera system and its associated marketing. Somewhat reminiscent of Japanese whiskies like Nikka in its well balanced chocolate and caramel-ness, it's certainly a quality dram... but about twice as expensive as similar quality products.

Bought this guy out of curiosity, thought it might make a good base for an Old Fashioned (it does)... but it's surprisingly enjoyable straight out of the bottle (on ice). I'm exploring rye at the moment and sure, it's not exactly a paragon of the genre, but it's a fun, easy tipple that I would drink over run-of-the-mill bourbon any time.

I don't know... I'm trying to give Bourbon a chance... and there's nothing wrong with this one, it makes a decent old fashioned. But all I can taste is caramel and sugar... still waiting to be convinced that bourbon isn't just the kids version of whiskey.

Zingy combination of spice and alcohol heat makes for a bit of an angry toddler... needs a drop of water to calm it down. Opens up nicely with subtle vanilla and tropical fruit. Hints of sock drawer and toast give balance to the youthful exuberance. Can't give half stars but it's a solid 3.5 from me.

Solid 3.5 stars... lovely, easy going highland.