Jose-Massu-Espinel
Dalmore Cigar Malt
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
March 19, 2021 (edited April 21, 2021)
The predecessor of today's Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve was this dram, the original cigar malt, discontinued in 2009 because of some bad publicity surrounding the cigar world (it had nothing to do with the actual whisky) and was originally replaced by the Dalmore Gran Reserva; which was also discontinued two years later.
So, i was eager to try this one since i believe the Cigar Malt reserve is a superior whisky, better than King Alexander III in my opinion. It is the jewel of the crown in the core range. This whiskies have been made with the intention of pairing with a cuban cigar (they recomend "Hoyo de Monterrey" and/or "Partagas Series D4")(i don't smoke so i have no idea about those).
You might have seen this bottle at 40%abv, but mine was actually 43% an even older version of this expression. Deep copper color.
On the nose, perfection, complexity and your beloved Dalmore profile. Starts with an aroma of a cigar box. Then the classic Dalmore orange and sherry notes appear. It smells bitter on the nose, i don't know how to explain it. Bread, yeast, candied fruits, jelly beans, red (apple) soda. After the first sip, it revealed coffee, caramelized oranges, bitter cocoa and Tiramisú. After a couple more minutes it released brownies burnt crest, vanilla and fondant. Beautiful stuff.
On the palate, it was straightforward, but delicious and very rewarding. As a fat guy, i love when sugar sweet notes appear first, and this one has them. Candied fruits, red fruits, pepper. Caramelized apple and some sulphur. Orange peel. It is so thick, it is chewable.
Aftertaste is wonderful. Bitter cocoa, tobacco and the most incredible dark chocolate note. It is very ashy, it has some cigarrette notes. Chocolate and tobacco.
Overall, this is the good stuff. Having said that, today's expression is better. It just feels older and more round. I really loved this dram, and i am happy to have a full bottle on the shelf (i managed to score two bottles in an auction). Fully recommended, you have to try this one. My score is 97 over 100. Slàinte!
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
I had the good fortune of tasting this and was shocked, pleased and enjoyed the richness, broad flavors and aromas. The substitute pales in comparison, and sadly and commonly costs twice as much.
That's pretty much what I've decided @PBMichiganWolverine :) On average, anything I want to drink that's affordable now will probably increase less than a balanced investment portfolio
@PBMichiganWolverine is over here dropping truthbombs. #VTSAXandChill
@ContemplativeFox a better odds would be to buy SP500 etf and hold that.
@ContemplativeFox some bottles are easier to detect that are going to be expensive in few years, like those Star Wars Glendronachs, but as you say, most are just a bet.
Guessing which affordable bottle is about to shoot through the roof is one of many things that keeps me up at night @PBMichiganWolverine. I'm sure there were many bottles from that time that will only ever see substantial appreciation as historical artifacts in the long long run.
@PBMichiganWolverine Wow man! just think of buying a case of yamazaki 18 at $80 and hold it to today's price.
@Jose-Massu-Espinel I bought it when it came out —unfortunately at that time , didn’t know any better. Was the same period when Yamazaki 18s were a mere $80
@PBMichiganWolverine you paid $60!!! wow that is a great price for it, i would have bought a case
@eweng they are not actually too hard to find. most auctions and rare whiskies websites have it for around $200
This original Dalmore cigar malt was amazing. And nicely priced...I think I paid barely $60 or so. The replacement was no where as good and 2-3x the price
I remember trying this bottle for the first time. It was actually my first Dalmore, and I was stunned. It was perfection, and my uncles bottle at the time. So I felt bad to pour myself again but I did: I couldnt resist. Ever since, I long to get my hands on one of these myself.