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.
Tasting Notes
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.
Thoughts
Marcel 72/100 - (Very good)
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.
More about Marcel →
Sascha 78/100 - (Very good)
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.
More about Sascha →Value for Money: 3/5 (Fair)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an A.D. Rattray Individual Cask Bottling?
A.D. Rattray is an independent Scottish bottler that releases single casks from various distilleries at cask strength and without chill filtration under its 'Individual Cask Bottling' series. Each release reflects the character of a single cask, which allows for more distinctive results than the typically more consistent standard distillery releases.
How does a bourbon hogshead with PX sherry finish shape a Dalmore?
The bulk of the maturation took place in the bourbon hogshead, which typically contributes vanilla, caramel, and pale wood. The subsequent finish in a PX sherry hogshead brings dark fruit such as plum, raisin, and cherry, along with sweetness. In this bottling, the PX signature comes through above all on the nose, while oak and spice dominate the palate.
Why does the fruit disappear on the palate here?
A PX finish is usually short enough to add aroma without overriding the underlying structure of the whisky. When the bourbon hogshead influence and the base oak spiciness take over, the sweet, fruity PX notes on the tongue can fade, while they come across more strongly on the volatile nose. We saw something similar with the Dalmore Valour, where bitterness and wood also defined the profile.
