Dalmore Port Wood Reserve

Nose: port, orange, Taste: port, orange, cream, dried fruit, Finish: port, orange, oak

Nose: Beautiful. There is a hay note hiding in there somewhere… some wet potters clay, a small amount of pleasing lemony-citrus. There is a very nice, deep and fresh port note as well. I also catch a very light bread dough note, too. Palate and Finish: Port BOMB! Good heat, oily, and a bit of baking spices. There is an oaky and citrus note that lingers quite pleasingly, the citrus reminiscent of lemon. Overall this is an incredible dram with an outstanding nose and a beautiful palate. If you are a classic Dalmore fan this bottle will expand your horizons and add something new to the list!

Oak heavy with cherries and vanilla (but not cough syrupy). A warm spicy finish. Caramel adds over time. Thought it was a bourbon at first. Very approachable and delightful.

This is a bit of a deviation for Dalmore. There are known primarily for their sherry-aged whiskies. This one trades that for port—obviously. It’s my first NAS Dalmore, yet is the only I’ve had to be above 40% ABV—which is greatly appreciated. Let’s see how this all plays out. Nose: Blackberry, black currant, raspberry, raisin, date, fig, and plum. Orange citrus and apple. Heavy molasses/sugar cane. Milk chocolate, caramel, fudge, cocoa, vanilla, toffee, custard, butterscotch, and cola. Chocolate syrup. Cranberry sauce. Macadamia nut. A minty/peppermint note. No Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: Apple, apricot, raisin, date, fig, red grape, blackberry, black currant, and raspberry. Some cantaloupe, honeydew, orange, and pineapple. Toffee, honey, caramel, milk chocolate, vanilla, and butterscotch. Almond, peanut, and macadamia. Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Apple, raspberry, blackberry. Vanilla, caramel, milk chocolate, and toffee. Orange citrus. Cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Moderate length finish—above average in fact. Between this, the 12, and the 15, this earns my highest rating. Should Dalmore stick to Port? I don’t know if I’d go that far. But what’s evident is that they should ditch the 40% ABV bottlings in favor of some higher-proofed stuff. Because this works, and you can cite sherry oak or age statements, but at the end of the day, a purer rendition of a distillery’s spirit will always stand out above the mass-produced, watered-down juice. 4.25/5. $100 is steep for an NAS, but I’d say this a better value than the 15 when consider that it’s cheaper and offers a higher ABV. My favorite Dalmore to date. Well done.