Dalmore 1990/2008 Signatory Vintage 17 years old Sherry Butt Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 59,2%

Dalmore from an independent bottler is a rare sight. Dalmore from 1990 in a single sherry butt at full cask strength is close to an anomaly.

Expert description

Dalmore 1990/2008 Signatory Vintage 17 years is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a sherry butt and bottled at cask strength of 59.2% without added colouring.

The cask carries the number 9411, was filled on 11 September 1990 and emptied on 25 March 2008. The outturn was 501 bottles. Dalmore sits at Alness on the shore of the Cromarty Firth and is known for its heavy, sherried house style — which is exactly why a single sherry cask suits the spirit so well. The distillery lets very few casks go on to independent bottlers, making this release unusual.

Tasting notes

Nose

Deep and dark. Raisin, orange peel and dark chocolate, with walnut, leather and a warm spiced note from the wood.

Palate

Massive and concentrated. Dried fruit, cocoa and caramelised sugar, with a peppery warmth from the strength and a dry sherry edge keeping the sweetness in check.

Finish

Very long and dry, with nuts, dark fruit and a persistent spiced warmth.

Specifications

Name: Dalmore 1990/2008 Signatory Vintage 17 years Sherry Butt Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 59,2%
Distillery: The Dalmore
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Highlands Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 17 years
ABV: 59.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sherry butt no. 9411
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 11/09/1990
Bottled: 25/03/2008
Number of bottles: 501

Flavour profile

Sherried · Dried Fruit · Chocolate · Spiced · Cask Strength

Investment potential

High. Independent Dalmore bottlings are scarce, the vintage is 1990, and an outturn of 501 bottles from one sherry cask cannot be repeated.

Did you know?

Dalmore's motto Luceo non uro means shine, not burn. It comes from the Clan Mackenzie coat of arms and has followed the distillery since the family took it over in the nineteenth century — even after the whisky had long since changed owners.

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Frequently asked questions about Dalmore 1990/2008 Signatory Vintage 17 years

Why is independent Dalmore rare?

Because the distillery only lets casks go on to bottlers to a very limited extent. Almost all Dalmore on the market is official releases, and independent bottles rarely appear.

What does the sherry butt do to Dalmore?

It reinforces a style the distillery is already known for. Dalmore is naturally heavy and fruit-driven, and a single sherry cask over seventeen years gives raisin, cocoa and a dry tannic edge.

How many bottles exist?

The cask gave 501 bottles. The release comes from that one cask numbered 9411 and cannot be made again.

Can it be drunk at 59.2 percent?

Yes, but in small measures and with time in the glass. The whisky opens up markedly with a couple of drops of water, and most people find their point some way below cask strength.

What does natural colour mean?

That no caramel colouring has been added. The dark colour comes purely from the sherry cask, a good sign that the wood was active.

What is Highland whisky known for?

It is Scotland's largest region and the style runs from light and floral to heavy and sherried. Dalmore sits at the heavy end — see the full spread in our Highland Whisky.