You’ll need to forgive us for utterly overlooking the new-ish The Dalmore 14 Years Previous. We’ve diligently saved up with the Highland distillery’s extra unique and expensive releases in recent times, however by some means, we’ve missed a few of the extra inexpensive choices. For all of the rarified ambrosia of their portfolio, Dalmore presents fairly a number of sub-$100 expressions, like this bottle.
Launched in 2022 completely to the U.S. market, The Dalmore 14 Years Previous is one thing of an odd duck within the distillery’s Principal Assortment (the core portfolio). There are seven age-stated expressions in that assortment, together with a pair of 12-year-old single malts with differing maturations. All of them boast acquainted single malt age intervals (12, 15, 18, and many others.) apart from this one. The weird age-statement isn’t the one factor setting this one aside. It’s additionally the one Dalmore to function single malt aged totally in Pedro Ximenez from the well-regarded sherry home Gonzalez Byass. In actual fact, the one different place PX options within the core lineup is a little bit of ending within the Sherry Cask Choose. Let’s test it out.
On the nostril, this whisky is kind of in contrast to different wine- and oloroso-aged Dalmore expressions I’ve encountered. The PX affect is restrained, suggesting that ex-bourbon cask-aged single malt contains the majority of this recipe. Beneficiant prime notes of honeycomb, slivered almonds, baking spice, and roasted malt create extra of an earthy preliminary impression. It takes time for the fruits to develop, slowly blooming from the glass with notes of black raisin and currants that by no means actually tackle that sugary, syrupy high quality usually discovered with PX-aged or completed whiskies. The palate is wealthy and reveals much more sherry affect proper out of the gate with early notes of dried apricot, cooked darkish berries, and a little bit of rum raisin. The fruit notes develop extra oxidized on the midpalate, complemented by baking cocoa and orange peel. The elevated proof provides a noticeable vitality to the expertise in comparison with a few of the 40% abv Dalmore choices I’ve tasted, but the palate stays mild and silky and fairly approachable. The end dissolves a bit rapidly into wine-kissed notes of grape skins, darkish chocolate, and mild baking spice. It’s a powerful single malt, clearly a step up from the entry-level 12-year-old choices and truthfully not far eliminated in high quality from the more and more costly 18-year-old. An actual worth for the stateside Dalmore fan.
97.6 proof.
A- / $90
The Dalmore 14 Years Previous
$90
