Dalmore 11 Years Old 2012 Hart Brothers 55.6% 6 CL Sample

0.06 liter 55.6%

Nose:

Literally, the first thing that came to mind when I smelled this dram was: this is delicious! You barely notice the high alcohol content, and there's so much complexity. Freshly baked apple pie and cinnamon rolls, mulled wine with oranges and cloves, gingerbread, and a steaming hot "hot toddy." It's all there to taste and discover in this dram.

Palette:

Mocha, dark chocolate, and dried cranberries. Coffee, licorice, and strawberry jam. Walnut, pecans, and port syrup. The palate is undoubtedly as complex as the nose promised. While the high alcohol content is noticeable, the whisky is still very drinkable. The mouthfeel is almost creamy. This dram tastes delicious!

Aftertaste:

This dram has a long finish with notes of tiramisu and freshly ground coffee. Some creamy notes also linger, vaguely reminiscent of a well-made panna cotta. Some tannins appear towards the end, but not overwhelmingly. This is a whisky to savor long after the last sip.

Conclusion:

I was particularly excited to try this independently bottled Dalmore, and Hart Brothers certainly didn't disappoint. This is absolutely fantastic stuff, and I suspect my own bottle won't last long. This bottling is also a great example of the contribution independent bottlers make to the whisky industry. No matter how much you think you know about a distillery, it's the independent bottlers who manage to exceed your expectations time and time again!