Dalmore Port Wood Reserve

Dalmore Vintage Collection 2009

$245.59

48.9% - 15 Year - Matured in ex-Bourbon / Finished in Matusalem Sherry & Grahams 10 Year Tawny Port Casks

Dalmore 12 Year

$86.24

Matured in American Oak ex-Bourbon the whisky and "finessed in rare and aged oloroso sherry casks." 40%

Dalmore is located in the Northern Highlands of Scotland on the Firth of Cromarty. It gazes accross at the Black Isle, a peninsula with some of the most fertile soil in the UK. Dalmore was converted into a sea-mine factory in WWI by the US Navy who built the long "Yankey Pier" which still juts out into the firth. The distillery is the jewel in the crown of Whyte and MacKay.

Master Blender and Fancy Watch/Tie Aficionado Richard Paterson says: "With its intricate aromas and flavours, The Dalmore 12 is recognised as a whisky with character far beyond its age."

Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

$157.49

One of Dalmore's iconic releases, this NAS single malt is matured in ex-Bourbon, Matusalem oloroso sherry and Cabernet Sauvignon barriques before bottling at 44%.

Master Blender and Fancy Watch/Tie Aficionado Richard Paterson says: "UThe body, structure and character of this extraordinary expression is the perfect complement to a fine cigar."

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban

$74.74

The Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban recently evolved from a 12 year old, into a 14 Year. Matured initially in ex-Bourbon, the wine is finished in Port casks before bottling at 46%. This whisky is replete with notes of chocolate and orange, which is derived from the finishing in port casks. 

Producer Tasting Note

Aroma: Dark mint chocolate and Seville oranges mingle with sandalwood and walnut, with a spicy finish of pepper and nutmeg.

Taste: Mint chocolate and walnuts envelop the palate, laying the foundations for rose, Turkish delight and sweet Seville oranges.

Finish: Long-lasting, silky aftertaste leaving dark chocolate mints and traces of orange.

Andrew's Tasting Note - on the 12 Year

Nose: dried cherry and cranberry leap out of the glass; some musty old wood with dark chocolate, prune juice and cooked dates.

Palate: big, nutty and wood; more dark chocolate with some firm old leather and sweet Cuban tobacco; the musty old wood is still there with some licorice nibs and decadent spice.

Finish: medium-long and warming; the spicy oak holds on with a touch of chilli heat.

Comment: I forgot how interesting this whisky is; I am not generally a fan of Port matured or finished whiskies, but this one is good!

From the Distillery: "Extra maturation in these port pipes develops Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban into a voluptuous spirit with a complex balance of sweet and dry flavours and an intriguing contrast of smooth and crisp, cooling textures. Non chill-filtered for additional aroma and mouthfeel."

Producer Description

"Dr Bill, our Director of Whisky Creation, was born with a taste for adventure. And with this single malt he sought to create a whisky as unpredictable as his travels. Quinta Ruban is a whisky journey into the wild – a dark and delectable forest where the wind whistles with gusts of peppermint and dark swirls of chocolate can happen at any moment.

"In our giraffe-high stills, it begins soft and fruity, then gets darker and deeper as we let it age for 14 years in bourbon casks and port casks from Portugal. The finished whisky is a thicket of voluptuous flavour combinations. Walnut and black pepper. Mandarin orange and melted marshmallow. Dark chocolate bar and peppermint. And, like stepping into a chocolate-minty-orange unknown, the journey is as delicious as the destination."