The Dalmore Distillery 1974 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

The Dalmore Distillery 1974 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

Situated along the banks of Cromarty Firth in the Highlands region of Scotland, Dalmore Distillery Distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson, who had earned his fortune illegally importing opium from the Far East. In 1886, Matheson sold Dalmore Distillery to Clan MacKenzie, whose century-long stewardship and defining influence over the distillery is still evident today the 12-point stag adorned on every bottle of Dalmore Distillery Whisky is derived from Clan MacKenzie's coat of arms. Dalmore Distillery Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from plump, golden barley sourced from the rich, coastal soils of the Black Isle. Once the barley has been harvested, it is milled and mashed before being fermented with water drawn from the Cromarty Firth. The water, prior to reaching the firth, travels from Loch Morie through a number of peat bogs and limestone quarries, and contributes a slightly mineral and chewy mouthfeel to the whisky. Once the barley has been fermented, the wash is distilled twice, first through Dalmore Distillery's copper-pot wash stills and then again through its copper-pot spirit stills (the stills date back to 1874). The wash stills have an unusually flat-top, while the spirit stills are equipped with cold water jackets. This unusual equipment the water jackets rinse cold water near the top of the still makes it difficult for the lighter elements of the whisky to pass through the still, and ultimately results in a more opulent and rich whisky. Dalmore Distillery 1974 Single Malt Scotch Whisky is part of the distillery's "Rare and Prestigious"collection. The whisky was distilled in 1974 and matured for approximately 32 years in casks that were previously used to mature bourbon. After its three-decade long beautyrest, the whisky was finished in a single, thirty-year old Matusalem sherry butt from the Gonzalez Byass for an additional four years. "Only the best selected American white oak cask is used during the maturation process," says Richard Paterson, Dalmore Distillery's Master Distiller, "but it is the unique Matusalem sherry butt from Gonzalez Byass that transforms it into something so rich and intense." The used sherry cask sourced from Spain contributes rich and opulent notes of raisins, caramelized orange, dates and figs to the whisky, and complement its notes of honeyed oak and cinnamon spice. Dalmore Distillery 1974 Single Malt Scotch Whisky has a rich, copper-reddish color, along with an aroma of roasted nuts, peach, honey and brown sugar. The notes of dried fruits, figs, raisins, cherries and raspberries complement notes of cola, cinnamon and woody spices, and add to a long, balanced finish. The whisky earned the Platinum Medal at the International Review of Spirits, and earned a score of 99 points from the Beverage Testing Institute, which said that the whisky was "amazingly rich and vibrant"and was blessed with a "a deep, feminine soul." Only 948 bottles of this single malt were ever produced. Pick one up today!