islay_emissary
Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
February 19, 2019 (edited February 16, 2024)
Spending time in Naples, FL and decided to spring for this since I found it for $20 less than up north. Priced at $160+ in the Boston area, couldn’t quite get myself to bite despite our weekly cigar gathering. Really enjoyed an earlier sample of Dalmore 18 (4.25 stars) provided by my buddy and whisky guru, @LeeEvolved , so I was hoping for a similar experience that didn’t quite materialize. The whisky does maintain it’s integrity during a light, but that’s “neither here nor there” as Shakespeare once wrote. You still need to like the pour. The nose is a little muted, but satisfactory. Certainly not what I would describe as elegant. The sherry, vanilla, and spices are obvious but not uplifting enough to produce a smile. The palate picks things up a bit with raisins, almonds, cinnamon, and sweet orange peel predominating, but then things flatten out again in the finish. The Oloroso provides an overly dry ending that’s a little flat and bitter. One might hope the Cabernet cask enhancer to provide a sweet pop to counterbalance, but such was not the case. A good pour but not rising to the 4 star level for me. 3.50 stars.
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@Rick_M i take that back...yes, 18 yr was pretty good. So new rule of thumb: Dalmore sucks under 18, unless it’s an IB 😀
@PBMichiganWolverine - I really liked their 18yo. The Cigar Malt was disappointing.
@Rick_M general rule of thumb : Dalmore sucks except over unaffordable 25 yr +, or as Independent Bottlers
Back from Florida and just took a look at Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible on this bottle. He rates it a disappointing 73.5. Wish I read that before I shelled out $140 down south for this dud.
@LeeEvolved - 80’s in Naples. Sorry about that ole boy! :)
@cascode Yeah we were there over xmas and ny and hit 44 at one point!
@LeeEvolved I was shocked at first but then remembered that you guys don’t use Celsius. Ha! We had 46 degree temperatures in some spots over here last month and people were literally dropping in the streets.
@Rick_M - me and my buddies are in Myrtle Beach on a 4-day golfing trip right now, too. Sadly, it was only 46 degrees here today so it made for a cold round. We obviously didn’t go far south enough haha.
@PBMichiganWolverine - you know I don’t go anywhere without my golf clubs. :)
@Rick_M Naples , FL...golfing hopefully?
@PBMichiganWolverine Agreed that was quite good. Sweet and rich.
@PBMichiganWolverine - yes, the original does better at auction, so probably better rated. Never tried that one.
@Rick_M the original Cigar Malt was amazing. ( my review here is mistakenly meant for the original—-back then, didn’t realize there was a difference between Reserve and original )