A pioneer in multi-cask maturation, The Dalmore is well known for its use of sherry casks in the maturation process; sourced from some of the finest bodegas around the world. A celebration of the Scottish distillery’s ongoing relationships with renowned makers and producers, The Dalmore Cask Curation Series is an annual release comprising three exceptional aged statements.
Limited to just 150 sets — with three allocated to Australia — The Sherry Edition is the first in the four-year series and places fifth-generation winemakers González Byass at the forefront. Located in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, González Byass is today helmed by master winemaker Antonio Flores and his daughter Silvia Flores. The Dalmore Cask Curation Sherry Edition sees the duo join forces with the Scottish distillery’s master whisky maker Gregg Glass and master blender Richard Paterson OBE; with the latter two responsible for selecting the sherry-seasoned casks for secondary maturation.
Related: Raise A Dram; The 23 Best Scotch Whisky Brands Of All Time
Each whisky in the trio is finished in a different rare cask — made exclusively available to The Dalmore by González Byass — and is presented in its purest form; unadulterated by added colour or chill filtration, and bottled at cask-strength. Albert Review had the chance to sample the exemplary trio over dinner at the Park Hyatt, Sydney last month and, suffice to say, they live up to their (not insubstantial) price tag.
26-Year-Old Vintage Sherry Finish
Distilled in 1996 and matured in white oak bourbon barrels before being finished in a 2002 vintage oloroso sherry cask, the ‘youngest’ of the trio is a spirited yet well-balanced expression. Laden with notes of berry jam, citrus, and honey, its brightness belies its age, making for an undeniably easy drinking Scotch that showcases the distillery’s signature style.
“This cask is a true reflection of the natural beauty, balance and charm that The Dalmore offers,” says master whisky maker Gregg Glass. “A one-off expression that radiates with a myriad of exotic flavour experiences with sensory evolutions unique to and within our house style. It is an expression of our cask curation at its finest.”
Aroma: orange blossom honey, apricot, Madagascan vanilla, and cacao
Palate: golden raisins, mandarin citrus, iced cherry cake, and sugared almonds
Finish: fresh baked brioche, light roasted coffee, crystalised ginger, and warm vanilla
ABV: 48.2%
28-Year-Old Matusalem Finish
The middle child of the bunch, the 28-Year-Old Matusalem Finish was distilled in 1994, matured in white oak bourbon barrels, and finished in a rare 30-year-old matusalem sherry cask. Bestowed with a headier finish than its younger sibling, it draws heavily from its second maturation, resulting in a rich, sweet expression defined by notes of spice, caramel, and marzipan. Master blender Richard Paterson characterises it as “a melody of flavours brought together in pure harmony.”
Aroma: rich dark fruits, manuka honey, liquorice, sweet tobacco, and star fruit
Palate: antique sherry-soaked raisins, marmalade, marzipan, and licorice
Finish: dark cherries, molasses, dark chocolate, and cassia bark
ABV: 55.3%
43-Year-Old Apostoles Finish
The pièce de résistance of The Dalmore Cask Curation Series Sherry Edition is the 43-Year-Old Apostoles Finish. Matured in white oak bourbon barrels and finished in Cask #1, a rare 30-Year-Old apostoles sherry cask, it’s surprisingly somewhat fresher on the palette than the 28-Year-Old, with hints of tropical flavours intermingled with vanilla, forest fruits, citrus, and pineapple. “The Dalmore 43-Year-Old is a timeless classic,” assert Paterson and Glass. “This noble spirit was nurtured and finished in Warehouse Number 4 over many years, creating an unsurpassed journey of pure charm and sophistication.”
Aroma: warm honey, roasted chestnuts, sun-kissed raisins, and Seville orange
Palate: sweet Madagascan vanilla, dark forest fruits, crushed almonds, and dark chocolate
Finish: fresh baked brioche, grilled pineapple, and blood orange with a long sweet cinnamon finish
ABV: 46.8%
The Dalmore Cask Curation Series Sherry Edition is presented in a striking red leather-finished travel case hand-crafted in Florence, Italy. The trio is priced at $58,000AUD, with the sets showcased at Dan Murphy’s in Martin Place.
Words by AR Staff
