DALMORE 12 Year Old

The Dalmore 12-year-old single malt whiskey is a whiskey that brings surprises due to its richness. 

This scotch whiskey was first aged in American white oak ex-bourbon casks for nine years, then transferred to the rare Gonzalez Byass Matusalem oloroso sherry casks for another three years. Each cask was carefully selected by the master distiller to ensure a top-quality scotch. 

This combination resulted in a perfectly balanced whiskey that surprises everyone with its distinct aroma and flavour providing an excellent experience from the nose through the palate to finish. 

History and origin

Built in 1983, the Dalmore distillery was first owned by entrepreneur Alexander Matheson. He soon passed it on to the Sunderland family, who continued running it for over thirty years until 1869, when the Mackenzie brothers, Alexander, Charles, and Andrew, took over the distillery.

The distillery was a family business until the 1960s when White & McKay, one of Dalmore’s main customers, took over. Back then, Dalmore used to be restricted to only one 12-year-old expression before the recent expansion of the core products. 

Dalmore 12 is as good today as it was when Andrew Mackenzie first introduced this classic whiskey in 1882. However, in 2008, a new version of the Dalmore 12 single malt whisky was launched, replacing the previous 12-year-old edition. 

Is Dalmore 12 smoky?

The Dalmore Scotch is smoke-free and perfectly smooth, which makes it perfect for drinkers who do not prefer smoky scotch. 

Tasting notes

Surprisingly rich for a 12-year-old single malt, the Dalmore whisky has a deep golden mahogany colour, and the nose of citrus fruits, chocolate, and aromatic spices. Intense on the palate with hints of citrus, oloroso sherry, and vanilla pod, finishing with a lingering roasted coffee and chocolate.

What is the difference between Dalmore 12-year-old and Dalmore 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select?

Both the single malt Dalmore are absolute classics with subtle changes. The Dalmore expression has twice the Sherry influence compared with the traditional 12-year-old and has a shorter finish with slightly higher alcohol strength (43% ABV compared to the original which only has 40%).

The 12-year-old sherry cask select also goes through a unique finishing process unseen anywhere in the industry. The method includes maturing the whisky for 10 years in ex-bourbon casks and refining for another 2 years in a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. 

How do you drink 12-year-old Dalmore?

Serving tips

The Dalmore 12 is great to enjoy on its own, but adding some water to the scotch will help to consolidate the flavours, tone down the sweetness, and cut some alcohol burns.

Another tip is to twist this single malt scotch whisky and turn it into a cocktail. 

Food pairings 

• Cheddar cheese. Nothing pairs better than good cheese and whisky. A quality, aged cheddar will go hand in hand with the Dalmore aged in a Sherry cask. 
• Seafood. Seafood like oysters and salmons compliments well with smooth and fruity Scotch, bringing up the intrinsic flavours of the whisky. 
• Olives. The saltiness of olives pairs well with a wide range of scotch whisky and brightens up the drink.

Notable awards

Dalmore 12 is an absolute classic that has won multiple awards. They include:

• Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit competition 2015 (Gold Medal)
• Spirits International Prestige Award 2016 (Platinum)
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 (Double Gold)
• International Wine & Spirit Competition 2017  (Silver)

Dalmore 12 is a fine Scotch whiskey

Dalmore 12 Scotch whiskey will impress everyone with its unique flavour. Not only is it great for gatherings and occasions, but also relatively inexpensive. An excellent choice for people looking to get into scotch. Buy a bottle noww at a low price!