Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

I get sweetness and spices. It's musty and a bit of wet tobacco. There are some dried fruits and a bit of citrus flavours. One of the best i had.

Review #048 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 44% Comments: NAS, marriage of ex-bourbon barrels, ex-olorosso butts, and ex-Cabernet Sauvignon casks Tasted after: Dalmore Port Wood Reserve Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 18/20 Very fruit forward, juicy crushed raspberries, ripe plums, sugary cherry frosting, milk chocolate, banana bread, vanilla, and cinnamon. It’s very sweet and balanced and enjoyable to nose. Palate: 30/40 Initially very dull on the palate, freshly baked warm wheat bread and walnuts, but nothing really pops. After a moment there’s some oranges, just a hint of plumbs, dark chocolate, and some caramel. I really wish some of those bold juicy fruits from the nose would make an appearance here, because while it’s nice, it’s still just a bit dull. Finish: 31/40 Medium length. It could be that it’s because I’m accustomed to sipping this when smoking a cigar, but I always get a hint of tobacco smoke at the onset of the finish. Some brown sugar is introduced here, and I also get hints of cinnamon, salted nuts, and orange peel. The ending flavor left behind is a bit bitter. With Water: Baking spices are added to the palate and the plumb flavor is more prevalent. These are a welcome “pop” of flavor. The finish pays the price though by being noticeably shortened and taking on a more intense bitter nutty flavor. Total: 79/100 Final thoughts: It’s important to mention that I’m rating this whisky here as a stand-alone product. This is always a fun bottle to break out when smoking cigars with my buddies, and I keep one on hand for that (if I can find it on sale), and pretty much no other reason. It’s a completely different whisky when paired with a cigar, it becomes sweeter and does a terrific job balancing out the bitter tobacco smoke, but it’s not a bottle I’d ever reach for to sip on inside as a post-dinner dram. Therefore my recommend and buy comments below are situational and pertain to enjoying with a cigar, which is not how I graded it in this review (that’s me acknowledging the inconsistency). Honestly I think the distillery does a grave disservice to this spirit by chill filtering it and bottling below 46%, but I’ll continue to purchase as long as I can find it below $150 or until I find something else which does an equally good job at a better price point. Price: $145 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Nose: rich, great depth, malt, hint of ripe fall orchard fruits of apple and pear, dark dried fruits, fig, raisins, orange peel, honey, light toasted nuttiness, sherry, leather, oak, and a whisper of smoke. Palate: full and rich, bright fruits, dried fruits, orange zest, vanilla, touch of dark chocolate, sherry, pleasant oily character on the tongue. Finish is fantastic, medium in length, with peppery barrel spices, some interesting herbal notes, a touch of tobacco smoke, old leathery notes, and a hint of more vanilla. An absolutely fantastic dram. A very expensive purchase, but, imo, well worth it.

Holy cow