Dalmore Port Wood Reserve

A nice finish, oaky flavor comes through.

Review #047 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46.5% Comments: NAS, American white oak maturation and tawny port finish Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Burnt umber color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Lots of fruit notes, predominantly I get cherries, raisins, plumbs, and strawberries. There’s sugary notes too including brown sugar, molasses, and milk chocolate. There’s a good amount going on here, but it’s still very inviting and somehow a bit subtle at the same time. Palate: 35/40 Stewed prunes immediately come to mind on the first sip. None of the fruit flavors are fresh, it’s all dank and cooked and fermented and delicious, almost syrupy but not in an overly sweet way. There’s some oak tannins, milk chocolate, and cinnamon after a moment. On the palate it goes from being rather dark and rich to very light and airy, reminding me a bit of the sweet but finish to a dark soda like a cola or root beer. Finish: 31/40 Medium length finish. More oak spice here before ending on a nutty and creamy milk chocolate note. It’s simple but enjoyable and just the right length for what it’s offering. With Water: A couple drops dulls the flavors on the palate, reminds me a bit more of cream soda now. More walnut flavor on the finish and also a hint now of sea salted caramels. Total: 83/100 Final thoughts: This review is on the neck pour, and it’s truthfully the only Dalmore I’ve really enjoyed besides the Dalmore Cigar Malt. Not awesome value for what this bottle offers, but I was able to steal it by combining some sales and coupons so I’m happy with what I got for the price I paid. I’ve also yet to find a Dalmore that is a solid buy at MSRP. Overall this is a nice port bomb, very flavorful and an easy drinker. Would be elevated by having a more lengthy and complex finish. Price: $77 Would recommend: yes Would buy: maybe 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.