Dalmore 10 Years (2007/2017) - A.D. Rattray
Independent bottler, single cask, bourbon hogshead with a PX sherry finish: a combination that promises everything on paper. The nose delivers on that promise, but on the palate the fruit gets lost somewhere between wood, spice, and bitterness. A Dalmore off the main roster that polarises more than it convinces.
The panel
Mean 75.0 · spread 6
Value for money 3/5
- Distillery
- Dalmore
- Bottler
- A.D. Rattray
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Highlands
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 10 years
- Strength
- 55.6% ABV
- Character
- spicy
Tasting
Nose
The PX finish announces itself immediately: cherry jam first, followed by a generous serving of plum and soft caramel. Underneath sits a clearly malty base that gives the whole thing substance. A flash of citrus appears, accompanied by a herbal note. Lemon balm all but insists on itself as the comparison. A sweet, spicy bouquet that makes you want more.
Palate
Oily and powerful as it lands on the palate – the 55.6% ABV shows honest presence here. But the fruit from the nose is suddenly nowhere to be found. Instead, the oak takes command, flanked by a hearty spiciness and a hint of caramel. The herbal note lingers as an echo. A mild bitterness sets in, joined by leathery, almost charred nuances. The playful PX promise turns into a dry, spicy oak performance.
Finish
Very warming, slightly alcoholic, and with a clear peppery sharpness. The bitterness from the opening stays put, clearly noticeable and no longer easy to ignore. A finish with posture, but one that offers little in the way of reconciliation.
Verdicts
Marcel
This one just never really gets off the ground. The nose promises a fruity journey, the palate only delivers wood and bitterness. Tried once is enough, honestly didn't win me over. Shame about the PX finish that never makes it to the tongue.
Sascha
The PX fruitiness stays sadly confined to the nose. From the first sip onwards, the spice takes over. Oiliness and intensity are on point, the underlying structure holds up. But you have to like the hearty, spicy direction it veers into. Interestingly built, yes, but not convincing.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Dalmore as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £341 across 207 lots · 2024-08