The Dalmore 12 is quite a strong whisky for a ‘supermarket’ 12 year old. I say supermarket not out of disgust but quite simply because it’s available in a lot of supermarket, much like the Glenfiddich 12. This extra character is very welcome
It gets a bit of flack for being chill-filtered and colored, but it’s pretty commonplace to do so, really, so let’s try not to judge. The rich dark color can’t really be appreciated when you know that it’s caramel coloring, though.
Raisins and orange are the two big themes when nosing the whisky, along with sherry and oak. A whiff of peat.
The taste is a little sharp and not quite as smooth as I was expecting. Malt, citrus, oak and raisins are the big themes – I think they’ve managed to continue the orange flavors from the nose here. Not at all a complex taste, but it remains pleasant.
The finish is a little short, with orange, spice and mild smoke. A bit disappointing if I’m honest.
I found this whisky to be pretty underwhelming. Approachable and drinkable, but not the slightest bit interesting. It’s a little too hot to by a daily drinker, too, so I’m not sure where it fits in. Some other people love it, though, so if you’re trying to find a 12 year old for a daily drinker it’s not a sin to give this a go. The big bonus is it’s cheap as anything in North America, so if this is your thing than you can drink affordably for quite some time!
Dalmore 12 Year Old Information
- Type: 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky
- Region: Highland
- ABV: 40%
- Price guide: 35 British pounds, 50 US dollars