Dalmore The Quintet

Wow, ok there is a lot going on here. The many cask finishes gives this dram a very complex character that requires careful analysis, and just because of that, it becomes a really interesting experience. The nose has dark fruits, sherry, musty, dark chocolate, vainilla and caramel. Sweet at the fist taste, its followed up by dark berries, plums, apricots, coconut. Finish is long, oily, filled with spices and some bitters. I know it’s colored, and probably chill filtered, but who cares? My wife and her friend loved it - ladies love this dram too! I strongly believe this one could pair perfectly with a dessert, specially a christmas dessert. Really enjoyed it. Glad I bought it.

Cherry and sherry on the nose. The taste starts with cherry and birthday cake. Sherry notes come in next which balances this well. Orange and chocolate fade into the finish which is long and lovely. The body is medium and creamy like a butterscotch disk. This is well worth the price. If you see this in the duty free, get it!

Nose: A carton of Cadbury’s Old Gold Fruit ‘n Nut Dark Chocolate bars (you have to be an Aussie – sorry) that have been stored in an ex-sherry barrel for about 10 years. I can’t explain it better. Raisins, dried figs, fortified wine, marzipan, leather sports car seats (the interior of a 1960's Jaguar), pipe tobacco, orange zest, mint. A huge nose with a profile that brings armagnac to mind. Water highlights some orange notes but mutes the whole performance. There is an unmistakable aroma of sulphur and it’s right on the cusp between fragrant, almost like sandalwood, and stinky rubber. Water softens it pleasantly. Palate: Big, sweet arrival full of chocolate and Christmas cake. In the development it seems to turn astringent for a moment but it’s just the tannins from big sherry casks kicking in. The apparent bitterness passes immediately leaving a firm, grippy oak foundation with espresso, muscat, mint, fennel and cointreau notes. The texture is excellent, this whisky has been composed to be correct when neat but it will take water gracefully. As with the nose there is a definite sulphur note on the palate but it’s just below the threshold of annoyance. Finish: Medium. The palate fades to a sweet finale with raspberry jam, liquorice, orange marmalade and chocolate. Formidable. Such a huge whisky but so very well presented. The abv is perfect and an object lesson in why the idea that every whisky should be bottled at 46% or more just "because" is vacuous. This one is beautifully balanced, mouthwatering, very moreish and requires no dilution – it is right just as it is but if you really want to reduce it you can do so without making it limp. Richard Paterson is a master of the art of blending. Dalmore seems to cop a lot of flak from some quarters for reasons that seem disingenuous to me. It’s an old-fashioned style of sherry monster of a particular type, and this is a very good example at a decent price. “Very Good” : 85/100 (4 stars)

Finally The Dalmore returned with a Single Malt that truly deserves everyone's attention. The final release of a 2020 travel retail series; this Dalmore The Quintet is a five cask finished whisky, inspired in the King Alexander III (and it is actually better). Finished in Moscatel, Madeira, Tawny Port, Cabernet Sauvignon and Matusalem Sherry, this is an amazingly complex, flavorful dram. Bottled at 44.5%abv, chesnut color. On the nose, it is so good i don't need to drink it; i could spend hours just nosing it. Candied fruits, marzipan, figs, aniseed, blackberries. Dr. Pepper, almonds; wedding cake. After a first sip, it gave me cinnamon, hazelnuts, blueberries and marmalade. It is very cakey/spicy. Dehydrated and red fruits. Incredible. On the palate it is delicious. The most accurate dark wedding cake with raisins i have ever met in a whisky. Cinnamon, cherries, cognac and red fruits. Caramelized apples and Baklava. Aftertaste is also a work of art. Silicone, nuts, red wine, salt and ginger. Brandy and a red fruit marmalade. Very long. Caramelized apples. Overall, this is perfection. A dram to enjoy, and the best part, is that it is not super expensive. Actually cheaper than the King Alexander III, you can get one of the best expressions that Dalmore has made in recent years. My score is a flawless 100 over 100, since no points were deducted in any criteria. Amazing whisky.

You'll find a lot better reviews than mine on this spirit. Having said that, I tried a $4000 Hennessy Cognac a few weeks back and for $3800 less you can have this Dalmore instead. The best compliment I can give this five cask Malt is that although this is not my type of whisky, you'll have a hard time finding a easier dram full of grape based flavours than this.