The Dalmore – 21 Year Old (Bottled 2015) (70cl, 42%)

This is a 21 year old single malt from The Dalmore, an official bottling released in 2015 in a run of 8,000 bottles. It is bottled at 42% in a 70cl bottle. The whisky spent its first ten years in American oak, then moved into first-fill Gonzalez Byass Matusalem Oloroso sherry butts that were themselves 30 years old. The nose combines tobacco, earthy tea, marmalade, dried pears, chocolate and crystallised quince. On the palate come oranges and chocolate, with honey, cappuccino and a hint of calvados, plus juicy fruitcake. The finish is medium, fruity and juicy, with a chocolate and coffee backbone and a touch of oak.