Dalmore Valour
The Dalmore Valour is a Travel Exclusive, which was first introduced in Qatar. In principle, we are rather sceptical about Travel Exclusives, but we give every whisky a chance.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Fresh strong citrus note, sweet port, oranges and a little honey. A little cinnamon or cardamom and dust join in.
Palate
Lots of chocolate, exaggerated oaky bitterness and poorly integrated alcohol. Plus earth, light plum and even more bitterness. Little flavour and a lot of water. Harmony? Not at all.
Finish
Short without exciting notes. Bitter.
Thoughts
Marcel 55/100
From the very first sip, the Dalmore Valour reveals itself more as a tired shadow than a pleasure – too much bitterness and too little character. The claimed maturation in old Matusalem sherry casks remains an empty promise that doesn’t save the drinking experience. For me, a clear no; this one stays on the shelf.
Sascha 55/100
The Dalmore Valour exposes an unbalanced structure, dominated by bitterness and lacking harmony. Despite interesting citrus and port wine notes, the mouthfeel suffers from poor integration of the alcohol and a short, unimpressive finish. Overall, it lacks the complexity and depth to stand out as a Travel Exclusive.
Value for Money: Very expensive
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Why is the Dalmore Valour called a Travel Exclusive and where is it available?
The Dalmore Valour is a Travel Exclusive, meaning it was specifically produced for sale to travelers in duty-free shops. It was first introduced in Qatar and is primarily available at international airports.
How does the Dalmore Valour differ in taste from other Dalmore releases?
Compared to other Dalmore whiskies, the Valour shows an unusually dominant bitterness with strong oak notes and less harmony. The freshness of citrus and sweet port wine is accompanied by a rather unpleasant alcohol note and a short, bitter finish.
Does the Dalmore Valour have an age statement and how does that affect the whisky?
The Dalmore Valour is a non-age-statement (NAS) whisky. The absence of an age statement means that casks of varying ages were used for the bottling, which can lead to a less clear flavor profile and a stronger dominance of wood and bitter notes.