Alexander Matheson, a trader who made his fortune in illegal opium imports from the Far East, founded the Dalmore Distillery in 1839. It is located on the northern shores of the Firth of Cromarty, deep in the Scottish Highlands. The Dalmore changed owners many times throughout the years, with Clan Mackenzie being in control the longest.
Clan Mackenzie is to thank for Dalmore's signature twelve-progned stag included on all Dalmore bottles. The story of the stag goes back to 1263, when the head of clan Mackenzie heroically saved Scottish King Alexander the Third, with a single arrow to end the Stag's attempt.
All of Dalmore’s Whiskies start in ex-Bourbon barrels.Dalmore 12 ages 9 years in those Bourbon casks. Then, the spirit is divided. Half is re-casked in Bourbon barrels, and the other half—the magical half—ages three more years in Matusalem Oloroso casks. And that Matusalem Oloroso is mystical stuff indeed. It is the Rolls Royce of Oloroso Sherries, having itself quietly rested at least 30-years.
It is these barrels that hold the key. After three decades the barrels are so packed with incredibly dense flavors that they veritably explode into the Whisky during those last three years of maturation.
Smartass Corner: The ex-Bourbon casks used in the making of Dalmore can usually be had for less than $100 each, but the 30-year old Gonzalez Byass Matusalem Sherry casks cost upwards of $1500 each.
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in The Dalmore 12 Year Old and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
One of the best smoothest scotches, on my extensive shelf. You can't go wrong with Dalmore, (each finished differently), and I have the 12 & 15 (a slight more butterscotch flavor), but look over those prices beyond the 15yr, and consider that you can have almost all of it, right in this 12 yr - which I like just as much as the 15. It's really outstanding. I can't see paying double, triple or more for really is a marginal return - are they better - perhaps. Double or triple good - no way. The 12 is really outstanding, and a true bargain for scotch this good.
Ken,
Not an experienced scotch drinker, but of the ones I've tried, this is definitely my favorite.
Lee,
Loved the spiced orange and citrus notes. Impressed with this one. First tried it on Christmas and might make this bottle a tradition.
Huat,
Strong dried fruit note both on the nose and palate. Medium finish and a good evening drink.
James,
Spiced orange marmalade with some buttered toffee inlfluence with a touch of smoke at the finish. Weak finishing whisky that is very light. Not a bad dram but not very complex.
Kurt,
Rich, silky, and flavorful. Truly excellent 12 year.
Kevin,
My favorite of them all
Daniel,
Good on cold night
Victor,
The Dalmore 12 YO is very smooth, full bodied, and full of flavor with rich textures.
Matthew,
Probably one the the tastiest scotches I’ve had.
Dennis,
I think this will become a staple on my shelf. Deep notes of oak and honey and a nice lingering on the palette. Will buy again.
Matt,
Some spice and nutty notes. Wood flavors come through.
Oliver,
Like Christmas pudding in a glass
Jay,
Full disclosure..im not a fan of scotch. I do prefer bourbon for my brown water. That being said, this scotch is smooth and has many of the same tasting notes I like and the flavair spiral on this is spot on. For the price its an extremely enjoyable dram that is worth every penny.
Rod,
At this price, this is easily one of the best scotches you can enjoy. In my top 5, great nose, amazing finish, simply top shelf.
Gabriel,
Short finish
Nose: Caramel, brown sugar, pear, sweet, light oak, malt
Palate: Spicy (tobacco), dry, tropical, sweet
Conor,
Barely burnt caramel. Sweet oak. Licorice and butter with a good meatiness. Surprisingly rich for a 40%
Craig,
Dalmore are my favourite brand of whiskey. A fantastic full flavoured drink, the gift that keeps on giving!!!
SCOTT,
Solid for the price. Definitely getting chocolate and vanilla with mild spice. Mouthfeel a bit thin.
Robert,
Very nice but a little hard on the wallet.
Charles,
Very smooth with no bite but great flavor.
guest,
It’s a nice easy drinker with a sweet and dark taste.
Scott,
Sweet and smoky everyday sipper
ron,
Omg. It is amazing and so smooth. It’s my new favorite and now my friends too.
ron,
OMG. It's amazing. So smooth and easy to drink.
Abel,
you can’t go wrong with Dalmore. Phenomenal spirit.
The issue I had this time around had to do with the shipping process. It was a nightmare trying to get the package delivered.
guest,
Get mostly malty and citrus notes on the nose. Taste has a lot of spicy, orange zest flavors and finishes with some chocolate and coffee notes. Pretty well rounded!
Scott,
Great! Lived up to the hype.
Jim,
not much of a Scotch guy, but after watching Richard Patterson and seeing how passionate he was about this, I had to try it. Not a peated scotch so I was super happy about that, not a huge fan of smoke. would recommend.
Brendan,
A very good sherry cask finish Scotch.
Some dark fruits and old barrel on the palate. I could not detect any smoke flavors.
8-8.5/10 would buy again.
Travis,
its a very nice highland style scotch. but i'm a islay guy.
Jason,
Hands down my favorite 12 yo. Very smooth and just quality all the way around.
Tonee,
Very smooth drink overall. Warm notes of vanilla and sweet citrus finish.
Sharif,
Delightful!! Heavy dried fruits (like raisins and dried orange), sherry, tree resin, honey, walnut, and wood. It's what I expect from a nice highland scotch, I don't care if they add E150, this is easily one of my favorites. I love sipping on this with just a bit of honey added to bring out the flavors.
Adam,
It's velvety smooth, with rich notes of dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and dried cherries. A little bit of water only enriches the flavors. Love it.
Brian,
Velvety smooth. Big chocolate flavor mixed with oak, citrus and a gentle smokiness. Delicious!
Greg,
Definitely always been one of my favorites. The 15 Year is in my Top 5 Scotches and quite possibly my #1... to my they both have a nice "grassy or hay flavor" if that makes sense at all, and perfect balance of sweet and spicy, with smooth finishes.
Michihiro,
This is a beautiful whisky - incredibly well rounded. The nose is vanilla and bright citrus (blood orange). In the mouth its full with chocolate and citrus but not overly sweet. One bit of advice - I find it opens up a bit slowly.....best off pouring it neat and letting it sit for a short while before enjoying it.
Dennis,
Smoky, Oaky, smooth sailing, just the way I like it.
James,
Clear Favourite Whisky Personally..🤤
Anna,
Delightfully smooth with cherry, vanilla, and gingerbread flavours and a touch of salt.
Matthew,
One of my personal favorite 12 year scotches. It's not terribly complex, but the flavor and feel are so pleasant that it doesn't really need to be. Nose is rich with orange and dark chocolate, with a palate that follows the nose pretty closely. The finish brings out more fresh orange and a pleasant but short burst of vanilla. The 12 year has a thicker mouthfeel to it than you would expect out of a 40% chill-filtered scotch which adds to the feeling of richness that comes with drinking any Dalmore. I like this one at least as much as the 15 year which is twice the price. This is a home bar staple in my book.
Mikko,
Love it. Liquid gold.
Daniel,
Very smooth. Really enjoy it.
Mark,
Very strong on the sherry, seems to compete with other flavors rather than complement. Very enjoyable nonetheless
Etienne,
Great whisky! Strong sherry taste with hints of citrus, dark chocolate and vanilla.
guest,
Caramel and sherry
Paul,
On the nose- Lots of Sherry with malt and clover honey, Ginger, hazelnut, citrus, Some spice in just a hint of sulfur
Palate- Tons of dried fruits and Sherry, and overall citrus note, Vanilla, plums, raisins, and a bitter sweet chocolate
Conclusion- This is a softer, thinner whiskey with a medium length finish, But the way the flavors are delivered to you is just beautiful one flavor unfolding after the next after the next. If this was 46% abv or higher this could be special
Susanna,
One of the best 12 year old whiskies I have tasted.
Kent,
Love it. Nice finish with low bite and oak favor. Not smoky or peaty.
Kevin,
Very smooth sipping Scotch wiskey
John,
Smooth, refined, excellent finish... worth the provenance they’ve established
guest,
Deliciously smooth and sweet
guest,
Smooth and sweet, easy-drinking
John,
Ordered this off the top shelf at a small seafood place, it was very good.
Dustin,
A very mature and balanced spirit that highlights the knowledge and experience of the brand at a very accessible cost
Daniel,
Surprisingly close to the 21 yr Dalmore. On the smoother side, decent warmth, great straight.
Brian,
On the sweet side as far as scotches go, but still has that distinctive woody taste. Easy to sip with some light fruit flavors.
Scott,
it's Dalmore, enough said!
Wendel,
The best of the best! It is smooth with a kick. Yet flavorful and balanced. Be careful because it will sneak up on you.
Kevin,
I get a nice hint of tobacco and dark chocolate. Enjoyable, to be sure.
Rod,
Great all around scotch. Caramel, vanilla and spices. Very well balanced with a nice finish.
Kevin,
Average. Lacking body and depth.
Cynthia,
Love at first sip. Drink neat (easily done at 40%) and add a touch of water near the end to get even more notes! Amazing taste - not too dry, not overtly sweet. Perfectly balanced.
James,
Not as light as I'd like nor spicy or proof enough. I wouldn't turn it down, but maybe I don't know how to enjoy it.
Kent,
This really is my favorite scotch. Smooth with a variety of enjoyable flavors.
Luke,
Toast and honey. Fruitcake and raisin. Approachable for all albeit overpriced
Eric,
Leather, light baking spices and good tobacco. There's a touch of smokiness too. Definitely a staple in the collection.
John,
Very smooth. A taste all it's own. I find the taste Unusual, but pleasing. I prefer the taste of other Scotch Whisky ahead of the Dalmore.
Charles,
Smooth, good taste, right amount of flavor.
Richard,
Proof is too low. Too watery. Taste is pleasant but not enough there, there.
Butch,
Incredible
Charles,
Smooth with oak taste abounding. Finish was solid smooth with no afterburn.
Ryan,
I get raisin on the nose and taste. Sweet deliciousness. Almost done with the bottle and still soo good. A very different experience than any other Scotch that I have tried.
Albert,
My go to.....
George,
Good flavor,very smooth.
Alex,
A little to sweet for me, but that's coming from someone who isn't generally a fan of super sherried whisky. HOWEVER - with a fatty pork shank this is hard to beat. Keep it around for fatty meals where it cuts through and shines.
ADAM,
Dalmore has a good flavor but always seems too oily for my taste. It's a whisky I would order at a bar with a limited selection. Probably a good introductory whiskey.
Brad,
Incredibly Smooth
Charles,
Didn't care for this, had bad after taste for my taste
Alex,
Just magical. Perfection in a bottle.
Daniel,
Great finish with the sherry influence.
Taylor,
Great scotch. A swish through the mouth opens up the complex tastes within. Very smooth.
Trey,
Perfection
guest,
Instant classic. Would recommend to anyone.
Rory,
complex- with each sip, I can taste something different. Ends on a sweet note almost every sip.
Aaron,
Great scotch.
Josh,
It's just a smooth tasting scotch. It is not overpowering!!