Taster

Nose: Very ordinary sherry cask: off-key and unimpressive despite a toffeed sweetness.

Palate: Massively chewy and a little smoky. That off note persists throughout but is little more than a background screen against the delicious demerara sweetness.

Finish: Drier, still smoking, but some bitter tones.

Comment: This is not Dalmore at anything like its best. A miss, I'm afraid, for all its short-lived riches.

Score: 6.5

Taster

Nose: Fragrant peat, then toffee.

Palate: Toffee. Orange zest.

Finish: Caramel dryness (suspiciously dark odour for its age). Syrupy and rich. Very faintly medicinal.

Comment: A big, rich bottling, but some of the Dalmore character has been overpowered.

Score: 7.8