Dreaming-of-Islay
Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
September 8, 2018 (edited September 10, 2018)
I'm loading up notes from a Dalmore vertical tasting last week, and this whisky was the clear winner of the night. Cigar Malt is Richard Paterson’s take on an ideal scotch-and-cigar pairing. It is a noticeably meatier, punchier dram, with more spice notes that modulate its sweetness. Everything about this makes sense, as its notes would stand up to a cigar, and even its flaws may help it not be overpowered in that cigar lounge-style setting. A bunch of ethanol vapor needs time to waft off, but once it’s gone, a rich caramel settles in. This is a spicy scotch, akin to Big Red gum, with more caramel and sherry accompaniment. The finish exhibits a mild sherry tinge, some tobacco leaf, and sharp cinnamon. It’s not complex, but it has backbone. That being said, I'm persistently aggravated by the low ABVs that all of these Dalmore bottlings feature; this dram, at 48-52%, would be much more impressive and would probably be a better cigar companion.
10.0
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@Dreaming-of-Islay Agreed. Both are better than KA and way above the 12 and 15. Still have to try the port finish and maybe change my opinion. (Love Port finishes)
@Soba45 @Generously_Paul @PBMichiganWolverine I really like the 18 as well, they're very different scotches suited to different moods. The 18 is gentler, more refined; this one has more oomph. They're the best Dalmores I've had.
@Generously_Paul @PBMichiganWolverine No haven't had the 18 yet....on my next sample list order. 15 I have and it was crap. Gave most of it away
@Soba45 totally agree with @Generously_Paul ...18 is by far better than the Cigar Reserve. But if you can still find it, the original Cigar Malt is better than both. Only Dalmore that you didn’t need to mortgage your house over for a decent pour
@Soba45 have you had the 18? Head and shoulders above the Cigar Malt in my opinion
Good review as always :-). Yeah definitely my favorite so far... goes downhill from there (from what I've tried)
@Dreaming-of-Islay -I’ve been eyeballing this one for over a year now and the price keeps going up. At $140 I doubt I’ll bite.