Dalmore The Quartet (1L)

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As Tenacious D might say, this is not the Dalmore Cigar Malt — this is just a tribute. Unfortunately, the original Dalmore Cigar Malt was discontinued about a decade ago. The good news, though, is that this might actually be better than that original. Whiskybase B.V. (“Whiskybase”, “we” or “us”, company details below) offers a whisky enthusiasts online platform that provides its members access to the most comprehensive, transparent and trusted resource of whisky bottles and allows and stimulates its members to contribute information about whisky bottles to the platform (“Service”). With a chunk of ice added, all I’m really left with is a bit of honey from the malted barley, some of the caramel and vanilla from the bourbon barrels, and a bit of peat smoke rising through the flavor profile. Interesting to note is that the peat smoke wasn’t a major component in the neat flavor profile, but the added ice gives it a bit of room to make an appearance. The three no-age-statement Dalmore whiskies – The Trio, The Quartet and The Quintet – are said to have been inspired by the distillery’s King Alexander III expression, which is matured in six different cask types.Thankfully, there are perks to being a spirits writer, when it comes to setting up tastings. In the last few years, I’ve been consistently expanding my knowledge and tasting data of classic Scottish malt distilleries, falling in love along the way with the likes of GlenDronach, Oban, Arran and Glenfarclas. There was one prominent Highland name on my list, however, that I’d never sampled: The Dalmore. Figuring it was time to finally familiarize myself with this particular, sherry-rich lineup, I reached out to the distillery and ultimately ended up with samples of all 7 core Dalmore expressions. Dalmore The Quartet, which is described as ‘refined and fragrant’ with a ‘rich flavour profile of red grapes and juicy raisins’, has been matured in four cask types: first-fill ex-Bourbon, 30-year-old matusalem Sherry, 30-year-old apostoles Sherry and Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks. No partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship is created as a result of your use of the Service. Something I will note is that this seems to go better with a darker and richer maduro cigar rather than something like a Connecticut shade. The richer flavors in the maduro cigar seem to blend better with what’s in the glass and provide a generally more flavorful experience.

The Dalmore Ensemble Collection used to be the travel retail offering from Dalmore distillery. It consisted of The Trio, The Quartet and The Quintet. Inspired by musical works of art, they ‘composed’ whiskies finished in 3, 4 or 5 cask types. Following a lengthy legal battle, the family rebuilt the distillery and continued producing whiskey, which was primarily used in blends for other brands. However, they did produce a single 12 year aged version of a single malt whisky under their own label during this time. The original Dalmore Cigar Malt, introduced in 1999, took the distillery’s base single malt whisky and matured it first in previously used American bourbon barrels, before moving to 30 year old sherry casks. As mentioned, that whisky was discontinued in 2009, much to the chagrin of whisky consumers everywhere. The Service has been prepared by us solely for information purposes to Members and the Service is based on information we consider reliable and we obtain the contents of the Service from a number of different third party sources (including Contributions), but we do not endorse, support, represent, warrant or guarantee the completeness, truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of the Services and any information therein. Mouth: a nice sherry influence albeit with a sharper, slightly tannic red wine edge. Raisins, a lot of liquorice and pepper. Tangy ginger and clove. Gingerbread and wine soaked pears too. Then dark chocolate and orange peels, plus some red fruit jam.The Dalmore has a number of notable firsts. It was the first single malt exported from Scotland (to Australia) in 1870. For much of its history it has been ranked among the largest distilleries in Scotland. Its current production capacity of 4.2 million liters of pure alcohol still places it among the top quartile of Scotch whisky distilleries.

All I can say on this one is “woah.” An NAS release intended to appeal to cigar aficionados as a perfect dram for pairing, this is undoubtedly the curveball of The Dalmore lineup, although its process isn’t really all that different. This release is initially matured in bourbon casks, like the others, before spending time in Matusalem oloroso sherry, but then finishing in Cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques. It’s bottled at a somewhat more substantial 44% ABV (88 proof). Whiskybase B.V. is the Dutch private limited liability company, having its statutory seat in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and its office at Zwaanshals 530, 3035 KS Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Whiskybase B.V. is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under no. 52072819.

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This whiskey was born to do one thing and do it well: pair with a good cigar. And, in this aspect I think they hit the nail on the head. An evolved take on the process used in The Dalmore 12, the 15-year expression is aged for 12 years in American bourbon casks before being split between three different styles of sherry woods: Amoroso, Apostles and Matusalem, for the rest of its maturation. The three threads are then merged together once again, creating The Dalmore 15. The distillery refers to this bottle as “the epitome of our house style,” suggesting perhaps that this expression is what they see as their true flagship, as it were. Like the 12 year, this is only 40% ABV (80 proof). You are responsible for all activities through your account. You are responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide to us in relation to your account, and for updating it where necessary. You are not allowed to create multiple accounts. We may terminate or temporarily suspend your account to protect you, ourselves or our partners from (suspected) identity theft or other (suspected) fraudulent (e.g. false, misleading, deceptive) activity. You have the obligation to keep your login credentials confidential. You shall not authorize any others to use or access your account. Usually with a bit of ice, the more delicate flavors tend to drop out of the running and the richer flavors get toned down a bit. Especially in finished whiskies, that usually means the flavors from the finishing process are the first to go. And, in general, I think that’s what happened here.

There’s a lot going on in the aroma of this whiskey, and I think I’m getting notes from just about every facet of the process. There’s a bit of caramel and vanilla that seems to be from the bourbon barrels, some sweet honey and melon presumably from the sherry casks, a bit of darker fruit like a splash of cabernet sauvignon from the obvious cabernet sauvignon cask source, and a hint of peat smoke pulling the whole thing together. The great thing is that none of that is in conflict or clashing, the aromas all mix together excellently well. The Dalmore 12 year old is aged in bourbon barrels for the first nine years, after which half of the remaining spirit is aged for an additional three years in sherry butts that previously held Matusalem Oloroso sherry, while the balance continue their aging in previously used bourbon casks. Matusalem is a type of Oloroso sherry that is sweetened by the addition of a little Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry, which is produced from partially raisinated grapes and is intensely sweet and syrupy. To qualify as a Matusalem, the sherry must be produced from a solera with a blend averaging at least 30 years old. The name is derived from Methuselah, the grandfather of Noah, who, at 969 years of age, was the longest-lived person in the Old Testament. Tasting Notes If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.The finish on this whiskey is surprisingly short, lasting less than a minute and without any real lingering flavors. But I guess that’s expected — you don’t want the flavor of your whiskey to ruin the flavor of your next puff on a cigar. On Ice Each and every Member must be of legal drinking age in its country of residence to be allowed to use the Service. If no such law exists in a Member’s country of residence, the Member has to be over 21 years old to use the Service. We have the right to ask you to provide proof of your age and/or to provide further identification to prevent underage usage and/or for any other legal or legitimate purpose. By using the Service, and by creating an account you represent, warrant and confirm that you are of legal age. Today we’re having Dalmore The Quartet. This consists of first-fill bourbon casks, Apostoles Palo Cortado and Matusalem Oloroso casks (both from Bodegas González Byass) and Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks.