Review #221: Dalmore Cigar Malt

Highland- NAS - Chill Filtered - e150- $140 - 44%

Dalmore is a highland distillery that is known for its copious amounts of e150 and having a badass stag logo.  I have never had Dalmore before, so I am not really sure what to expect.  This is a blend of 70% sherry, 20% ex bourbon and 10% Cabernet Savignon blended together.  OK, I lied, I have an idea of what to expect.  Approachable, bold and sweet, that is what I would expect something called Cigar Malt to be.  Though contrary to popular belief, I don't really smoke cigars so maybe I am off.  

Color - Auburn

Nose - Dried fruits, oranges, vanilla, cherries, treacle, apricots, raisins, cocoa, caramel  

Palate - Baking spices, oranges, raisin, new wood, grapes

Finish - Medium -  Oranges, chocolate, leather, spice, caramel, vanilla

Overall - 5.5 -  The nose is better than I expected, evolving, complex very nice.  Hell, the dram is better than I expected.  I don't exactly get excited by low ABV, chill filtered and natural color.  The mouth feel isn't flimsy, the finish is nice. It has very nice sherry notes throughout.  I am not really sure what the cab barrels do for this, maybe the touch of cherries on the nose.  The price on this is a bit silly at $140, should probably at $100 or below for what you get.  I cannot see myself every buying this but I am very pleasantly surprised by this.  This might be a nice gift to give a neophyte that would be easily approachable and not Laga 16, Blue Label, or Mac.  Next time you need to give something to your accountant/lawyer/unlce, keep this in mind.

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5.5 I really enjoyed but it will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Standard Deviation 0.91

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16