Launched in late 2008 to replace the previous 12 year old, this single malt from the Dalmore distillery is a toasty, coffee-rich dram with beautifully spice notes and a thick mouthfeel. Very rich for a 12 year old.
A warm coffee house in Seattle; roasting beans, the oily nuttiness in a fine espresso, there are little notes of malt and cereal and butter from the pastry counter with rich orange from the fruit bowl on the counter.
Notes of Seville marmalade and triple sec with winter spices and fruitcake. Zesty cocoa and milk chocolate.
Medium, oranges.
A perfectly good dram that has some crepe and cappuccino in the nose, a bit of peat on palate with some of the pastry from the nose, then finishing with some spice to it. A nice inoffensive entry level dram.
Not offensive, but lacks conviction, vigor, strength. Seems to be a whiskey formulated to be pleasant for everyone , but with no particular destination. Opposite of a whiskey that makes a statement and creates a lasting impression.
I own already the cigar malt and the 15 year and now got to taste the 12 year in the MoM advent calendar. Despite the not so enthusiastic reviews below I was pleasantly surprised. It is true that it is not overly complex and doesn't have too long of a finish. Well, it's a 12 year one. But it has a nice rounded profile with a smooth, creamy sweetness which makes it a good companion to your every day cigar.
The nose is nice. When you let it stand without swirling you can clearly smell the coffee otherwise it is a rather classic cherry smell but promising. The beginning of the palate is nice without being crazy (but I would say in line with you would expect from a 12 yo single malt) but then the alcohol arises. I don't mind (at all) a strong drink, I'm actually a fan of the cask strenght versions but here the alcohol doesn't enhance or empower the taste but on the contrary clash with it. It is what is dominant for the finish un untasty burn... it's far from being discussing but the finish is disappointing.
Tasted blind. Initially intense both on the nose and the palate, but quickly falls apart in the short and almost lean finish. Heavy on the sherry, with an orange-heavy citrus character that reminded me of PX. That aside, dark honey and some just-perceptible floral notes. No appreciable aftertaste. Conclusion: totally forgettable, but a good one to warm up the palate for something better to come.
