Dalmore 12yo 'Black Pearl'
Malmsey Madeira Finish
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
40% abv
£30*
Unrelated to this drop, but BBC Scotland will be airing a documentary on Bruichladdich tonight, January 15, 2007, 10pm. Info shared by the Man in the Grotto.
This expression is not a part of "The New Beginning" revamped line from the Dalmore (12yo tasted yesterday, the rest soon), but was released back in 2005 as a special cask finish for duty free outlets. For all Dalmores had on the Malt Mission and more Dalmore distillery info, click HERE.
This whisky gets a long (two and a half years) finish or secondary maturation in ex-Madeira casks. Madeira is often referred to as "the pearl of the atlantic," but the Romans referred to it as "the purple islands" so perhaps the name Purple Pearl would have been better... and if not better, at least alliterative. Dalmore distillery overlooks the black isle so perhaps that is the source of half of this release's name. Whatever. Let's drink...
* - This is a Duty Free price as this is a duty-free exclusive. If you happen to find it at other retail outlets (and if you search, you might) it will tend to be about £6 more expensive.
TASTING NOTES:
Warm wood, like sanded oak or steamy cedar in a sauna. Pineapple cake, orange syrup or liqueur, zesty and fresh on top, bike tires in the middle, and oaky at the core.
Balanced and well rounded with polished oak and tobacco. Some fibrous fish food as well. Becomes fleshy, slight organic bitterness balanced by brown sugar and mandarins.
SUMMARY:
A deep dram that is better enjoyed in big hedonistic mouthfulls than in short scientific evaluative sips. Overall it is a chewy but zesty, rich and balanced dram, but when you start to pick it apart it begins to look a bit 'off' on paper. Deep, delicious, and to be gulped after a meal.
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