The Dalmore seems to hard at work with quite a lot of new releases in recent weeks. Only a week or so passed since I posted my notes about the new Cigar Malt Reserve, and the 1995 special release and now a new limited edition – the ‘Cromartie’.This is the third in a series of limited edition releases crafted by Master Distiller, Richard Paterson, in homage to the Clan Mackenzie. It celebrates the ancient lands of Cromartie, heartland of the clan, and home to Castle Leod, the clan’s historic seat. The Mackenzies have held lands in Cromartie since the 1600′s and to this day the clan chief still bears the title ‘Earl of Cromartie’.
This expression was distilled in 1996, Initially matured in American white oak casks before being transferred to Gonzalez Byass Oloroso sherry casks. This edition consists of only 7,500 bottles,and will retail for £98.99.
The Dalmore Cromartie , 45% ABV , £98.99
Nose: Ripe orange, on top of sherry : sultanas, apricots and some wood varnish. wood and some lemon tart (lemon grass?) as well. Zingy and sweet at the same time with heavier dark chocolate notes too.
Palate: Quite chewy with a lot of spice, pepper and cinnamon. chocolate sprinkled with winter spice, varnish, and some alcoholic tang from the varnish.
Finish : Wood, cinnamon and spices, dark chocolate pralines.
Bottom line:
This is a lovely dram, very rich and quite addictive. As for quality it’s very good. One thing I keep on asking with those ‘special’ releases from The Dalmore is more % ABV. 7,500 bottles all in all, could have benefited from a wee bit more oomph. Surely at above 50%, it would have been a cracking Dalmore. I do fail to understand why on such small releases, they do insist on bottling it at 45%. Another thing is the pricing. almost £100 for a 16 year old malt at 45% is too much IMHO.
Score: 85/100
Official samples provided by The Dalmore.