The Spirit of The Dalmore (For the U.S. Only!)

The origin of the brand’s stag’s head symbol dates back to a story from the Dark Ages about the chief of Clan Mackenzie saving King Alexander III from the fury of rushing antlers and clan descendants becoming owners of the distillery itself, located just north of Inverness, in 1867.

The Dalmore quickly became noted for an almost religious dedication to the art (and science) of whisky cask finishing. In fact, an exclusive century-plus relationship with the Spanish oloroso sherry house of Gonzalez Byass has arguably made the distillery the ne plus ultra in sherry-finishing, lending a rich, nutty/chocolate/citrus-y nature and deep color to the best of the brand’s spirits.
 

The Dalmore is notable for releasing exceptionally longer-aged spirits, including rare 25, 30, and even 45-year-old expressions that can go for thousands of dollars. That is, if you can find them (some of those “yeti” bottles are pictured here in photography from a Watchonista-exclusive tasting session). But a new 14-year-old aging, produced exclusively for the U.S. market (a first for The Dalmore), delivers the essence and gravitas of the famed distiller for under $100.
 

Finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks from Gonzalez Byass, the new whisky marks an interesting new mid-point in the maker’s Principal Collection, which ranges from 12 to 25-year-old malts (as well as additional special-casking iterations and reserve versions). Under the loving attention of Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass, the very best sherry casks were selected to deliver a new unique sunniness and intense sweetness to the 14-year-old.
 

However, the heritage notes of light citrus, along with deeper licorice and caramel flavors marking a fine malt, melt into a very smooth gumbo of fig, date, and even a kind of American maple syrup-y finish that make this potion particularly appealing to U.S. drinkers.