Dalmore 40 Year Old / 1966

70cl / 40% - Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Dalmore's extra-special 40yo is the leading light of Whyte & Mackay's Rare & Prestigious range. Dalmore ages better than perhaps any other Highland distillery, and these long-aged Dalmores are increasingly sought-after by collectors. The casks used for this 40yo were a mixture of American oak and sherry casks from the world-beating Gonzalez Byass.

More Details
Country:	Scotland
Region:	Highland
Bottler:	Distillery Bottling

£3,500.00 inc.VAT (£2,916.67 ex. VAT)

For well over a century a variety of fine Dalmore single malts have been crafted by a small band of local stillmen. In particular, on 21st March 1966, Col. H. A. C. Mackenzie distilled and filled to cask what has now become the Dalmore 40 Year Old masterpiece.

Different woods, from American White Oak to the specially selected casks from the Bodegas of Gonzalez Byass in Jerez de la Frontera, all made their distinctive contribution. But most importantly, so did our Master Blender, Richard Paterson. Only his sixth sense judged when the balance between wood, air and spirit was perfect for creating a whisky this rare, this sensational.

How rare? Only 1,000 bottles of this superb malt are in this, the first release.

Orange marmalade combines with Christmas pudding on the nose. Faint notes of wood linger in the background. Brittle toffee and bitter chocolate combine skilfully on the palate with spicy orange and almonds. And the finish goes on forever.

Tasting Notes

Producer's Tasting Notes

Colour – Deep aged mahogany and flashes of cedar wood.

Nose – An aromatic symphony of thick chunky orange peel marmalade and Christmas pudding. Citrus, marzipan, spicy cinnamon with hints of raisins and caramel figs. Unobtrusive wood notes linger softly in the background.

Taste – This distinguished malt must be held long in the mouth. Bold and majestic flavours of thick toffee and dark chocolate. Orange peel and crushed almonds follow closely behind. Both American White oak and Gonzalez Byass oloroso sherry butts have made their own inimitable contribution.

Tasting Notes by Ian Wisniewski

N: Toffee, vanilla, then creme brulee and lingering toffee, mellow spices and gingerbread.

P: Luscious and focused with a rich-dry balance, evolving with toffee, fudge, butterscotch, vanilla, fruit syrup.

F: Big malty finish with a hint of red fruit, then lingering oakey dryness.

Tasting Notes by Dave Broom

Colour: Highly polished mahogany.

Nose: Dense and sweet with pure dried fruit alongside blackcurrant leaf, briar and dark chocolate (Fry’s chocolate cream). Bosky and concentrated with camphor and sweet oak.

Palate: The thickest of the three. A ball of ripe fruits. Damson jam with a hint of menthol. Good tannic grip, cooked fruit, cocoa nibs balanced by deep black fruit. Chewy and long.

Finish: Softens into a lush fruitiness then a touch of cigar leaf.

Tasting Notes by Charles MacLean

Appearance: Polished rosewood, magenta lights in the bottle. Deep orange with scarlet lights in the glass.

Aroma: (straight) Initially somewhat closed, then a scent of alcoholic wedding cake mix, with citric top notes – glacé orange peel, lemon peel and angelica root. Gradually the cake makes itself, and icing sugar appears, with hints of marzipan, combined with zesty orange marmalade. A hint of fragrant sandalwood is the only wood note discernable.

Reduced (@35%) A tea-spoon of water enhances the wood note, now planed and polished hardwood and also cigar wrapper; turns the icing sugar into soft brown. A trace of beeswax or furniture polish. Later, warm varnished wood – like a classic clinker-built boat.

Flavour: (straight) Smooth mouthfeel. Very sweet to start, and overall, although tannic and mouth-drying. Brown sugar, coffee and sandalwood in both taste and aftertaste. Very long finish. Drinks magnificently at this strength.

Reduced (@ 35%) Only light sweetness now. Centre palate. Long finish. Sandalwood lingers in the aftertaste.

Comment: Complex, mellow and interesting. It manages to retain vivacity, in a fully mature way – the flavours from maturation/wood do not flatten it or dominate completely, just fill it out. A Sean Connery of malts! Drinks best straight.

Tasting Notes by Dr Whisky

Age immediately apparent with lush oak the keynote. Surprisingly malty after so many years of cask influence on a barley spirit. Orange juice or Sunny D, tobacco and ash, black tea, some petrol, banana and maple syrup.

Luscious fruits initially, banana, apples, raisins, blueberries and vanilla, then honeyed tones explode into a toasty oaky bearhug that is in turns drying and mouthwatering. Great flavour ride and a slow drinker.

SUMMARY:

High and low tones of citrus, blueberry jam and oak; great harmony in a fruity, musty and surprisingly malty old beauty.