The Corriemhor Cigar Reserve

I have been totally out of rhythm when it comes to sampling. Maybe out of rhythm with life overall lately. But tonight I fell back into my former (but I am sure only momentarily). Hoping things will get back into line soon (many irons in the fire in my life right now). This has been sitting in my samples and harkens back to the SDT days, which seems like slight eternity. I think I even lost 3/4 of an ounce. So, before I loose any more, I figured, let’s do it. It jumps out with with sherry and ripened red fruit notes. Raisins, apples, red raspberries. There is a sugary overlay that wraps the fruity aromas. Vanilla, caramel, light-brown sugar. And, of course, there is the cereal notes. Oats and barley. If you were to describe a healthy-heart breakfast, take all those ingredients that comprise the aroma you would have just created that breakfast. It’s an instant sweet and spicy palate, but the spice is overshadowed by the sweetness. Initially sweet, almost too sweet. But then the mild spice crescendo’s. Crème brûlée, orange zest, milk chocolate, apples and pears which is similar in that aspect to Glenlivet 12. Fresh ginger and white pepper provide the spicy side on the palate. This is all delivered in a lightweight body with a silky texture. What remains of the palate lasts for a fair length. Bitter orange, oak tannins, vanilla and ever slight hints of apple. This is a pleasant dram. It is youthful and spry. A few more years in the cask would prove to be interesting and could mature into something a bit more in depth. The sweetness would definitely work well and compliment a mild cigar. Dalmore-esqe with some Glenlivet qualities. Quite enjoyable. Thanks @LeeEvolved for the sample. [88/100][Tasted: 4/29/22]

Maybe this one has been opened a while as i'm not really getting the flavor notes Lee noted. It's a lighter quite muddled dram, not bad not great not really anything distinct. Just a nice warming lightly flavored dram..the aftertaste effect is odd. Warms each side of the tongue but quite barren down the middle. Hasn't changed my opinion of Dalmore! Thanks anyhow @LeeEvolved now onto the masterpiece....

There was a time earlier in my scotch whisky drinking “career” when I was slightly obsessed with everything Dalmore, and even the Richard Paterson persona. I thought then (and still think to this day) that he’s a great whisky character. He’s a brilliant blender, whisky aficionado and spokesperson. So, when I came across this bottle while online shopping I knew I had to give it a try. The Corriemhor Cigar Reserve was Richard’s first attempt at making a cigar-pairing, blended whisky. He was employed by Whyte & Mackay back in the mid-2000’s and this is rumored to be his inspiration for the Dalmore Cigar Malt. The best part is that this can still be found for around $50 a bottle and this carries an age statement of 8 years. Good luck finding out how old the malt is in the Dalmore version, but don’t even think about finding it for anything close to $50. This one is bottled at 46% and is non-chill filtered, but I’m pretty sure there’s plenty of coloring added. It’s medium gold and an oily mess in the taster. Lots of medium sized drops and random, undefined legs swirl down and around the glass when it’s given a little spin. The nose is raisins, red berries, apples and cereal notes once you give it a little time to release. Fresh cut oak mingles well and provides a solid backbone. Toffee and caramel hang heavy all around the glass, as well. The palate is a fantastic sherry bomb. There’s butterscotch and chocolate covered oranges, fresh cut apples and more toffee sweetness well into mid sip. The mouthcoat is velvety, but still slightly watery while the 46% provides just the right amount of heat and bite. The finish is medium-long with welcome heat as the last of the liquid dissipates. It leaves a lingering sweetness before turning lightly bitter. It’s this very last bit that reveals the youth of the spirit involved, but it’s not harsh enough to turn you off. Overall, this is really what the Dalmore version should strive to be. The fact you can still find bottles of this online out of the UK is incredible. In fact, I recommend leaving the Dalmore Cigar Malt sitting on the shelves, save yourself $60+ and buy this one instead. It’s gets you to the same place for half the price. What’s not to like about that? 4-4.25 stars. Cheers.