Why doesn’t Richard Paterson release whisky like this? I’m finally able to sample something from Dalmore distillery that isn’t chill filtered and doesn’t have any added color. Independent bottler Alexander Murray released this 15yo single malt at a seriously potent 55.6% ABV. I don’t believe much Dalmore gets out to a lot of IBs, so this sample from my buddy @dubz480, from Arizona, is a rare treat for me. I also believe he got this bottle for around $60, which is shocking. It’s primarily from refilled, ex-bourbon casks and refilled sherry butts. This is a new penny, copper in color and it’s very oily. Very thin legs and lots of tiny beads indicate the higher alcohol percentage. The nose begins with faint sherry cask notes,bubblegum and raspberry smoothie. There’s a nice backbone of brown sugar and apple pie crust- maybe graham crackers. The palate is fruity and spicy all at the same time. Orange marmalade, Sunkist raisins (yes, with that slightly processed flavor) and caramel. The heat and power of the ABV send pepper spice barrel wood rushing in if you let it settle across the tongue. By mid sip it’s blazing in every corner of your mouth. It needs water, but I’m too old and stubborn to give in. The finish is long and very drying. Once the burn subsides, or you flush it away with water, you’re still greeted with orange and toffee notes. This whisky left me pondering whether I think Dalmore should start beefing up their distillery releases like this, or should I just accept and dial down my expectations for the core stuff. I have a soft spot for Dalmore that I can’t always explain and this release really shows what’s coming out of the casks BEFORE Mr Paterson gets to tinkering with them. I like this presentation, albeit it’s definitely too hot at this potency, but I’d be thrilled to spend the day just introducing water to it slowly to find that perfect spot. IMO every Dalmore official release needs more power behind it, but there’s got to be a better spot than what most of the distillery releases offer at 40-44%. However, this one was a really treat for me. Thanks again, Wail. 4.25 stars as it comes in the bottle, but I think a little experimentation could see that score surely rise. Cheers.
About this bottle
This is a limited edition unpeated single malt whisky that was distilled at The Dalmore Distillery in the Highlands in 1999 and matured for 15 years in traditional oak casks. It was bottled by Alexander Murray & Co. at 55.6% ABV.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 10 parsed reviews.
Tonight's review is of the Alexander Murray-bottled Dalmore 15. I have quite a few bottles produced by Alexander Murray and am glad to finally be reviewing one I enjoy! This was one of my favorites when I picked it up, so I'm enjoying considering how it's changed over time. This is bottled at bottled at 55.6% ABV and I don't believe it's chill filtered or colored. Purchased for $59.99 at Costco, which is an incredible bargain compared to what a cask strength Dalmore would regularely cost (if they even exist!). My detailed thoughts and rating below: ⠀ ⠀ 🥃 Dalmore 15 Year - Alexander Murray 1999 - 55.6% ABV ⠀ Nose: Complex fruity and malty nose. Sweet pear jam and dusty old graham crackers. Brown sugar. Flowers. Butter. Raisins and wine. There's some heat noticeable. ⠀ Taste: Graham crackers and butter. Black pepper, baking spices, and a little jam. Olive oil? Keeping the whisky in my mouth a little while adds more tannins and a tiny bit of brine and sour tang. The texture is nice and oily and the finish is medium-long, although a little too focused on pepper and heat. Altogether, this is a great whisky! I hear that Dalmore usually colors and filters the hell out of their whisky, so I'm excited to report that this one felt very natural and oily. The overall product could be a little more cohesive and provide a more enjoyable finish. ⠀ Current rating: 89/100
Continuing my adventures through the world of whiskies from independent bottlers, i have tasted a 1999, 15 year old Dalmore bottled at Cask Strength by Alexander Murray. This very good looking bottle (not as good as the proper Dalmlre distillery bottlings) has been matured in ex bourbon casks and Oloroso Sherry, and bottled at 55.6%abv. On the nose, there is the Dalmore DNA all over it, but fruitier. Prunes, green apples, the typical Dalmore orange note. Chocolate milk powder (formula), hazelnut, banana bread, almonds. Honey, marzipan and wedding cake, the expected glorius aromas from most single malts of this distillery. On the palate, it is delicious. Hay, hazelnut, and a spectacular chocolate. A very spongy Vanilla cake. Simple but amazing. Aftertaste is also great, with some figs, sawdust and peppery notes. Vanilla, almonds and ginger spice. Overall, i really loved this dram. It is like your standard 15yo Dalmore on steroids. The notes are very clean and well delivered. It is my first ever whisky from Alexander Murray and it impressed me. My score for it is 93 over 100.
“Whiskey 🥃 Grilling Time Review!” Dalmore 15 Year Alexander Murray Single Malt Cask Strength Distilled in 1999 Barrels: Matured in Ex-Bourbon and Multiple Ex-Sherry Casks ABV: 55.9% Taste Notes: Nose: Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream 🍨 with molasses and vanilla bean. I get this sense of walking into Farrs Ice Cream Polar on a summer afternoon Front: Sweet bomb of vanilla dried fruit, than a banana split with baking spice. Back/Finish: Smoky honey BBQ ends this beautiful complex journey. The cask strength really gives it coat mouthful and lingers. This definitely is sipper and I don’t think I go back to any the Dalmore now. Vadim Perlovskiy cheers good sir “May every hair on your head turn into a candle to light your way to heaven, and may God and His Holy Mother take the harm of the years away from you salud!”
An intense, Single Malt Scotch Whisky by Dalmore Distillery in Highlands, Scotland distilled in 1999; maturing it in a mixture of Ex-Bourbon & Oloroso casks, then finished in Sherry casks, sourced from the famous Gonzales Byass Bodega in Jerez. Then it was bottled at 55.6% ABV. by Alexander Murray out of California. It has an aromatic birth with notes of cinnamon, demerara sugar & a hint of orange peel; while a dry & woody life adds notes of dark chocolate, orange, spice, hints of raisin, cardamom & tobacco; that led to a long & bold finish with notes of cigar box, spice, over spiced Christmas cake & rich oak. September 2020 / August 2022
Very sweet on nose - almost like sugar icing on an orange cake. Some honey aromas to go along with it too. On palate it brings some chocolate and smoke, even some licorice. A very weird whisky I would say that may be fitting to a distinct group of people
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