Dalmore 12 years

Score: 63

Dalmore 12 Year Old, bottled at 40% ABV, is a dram steeped in club history. It was the winner of our very first Porirua Whisky Society Tasting, where enthusiasm ran high and the verdict was unanimous: we all thought it was great, even with chill filtration and added colour. That early triumph cemented its place in our lore, and it later went on to place a respectable 4th in the first Champion of Champions showdown, holding its own against stiffer competition The nose opens slightly nutty with a touch of chocolate, joined by leather and thyme. As it breathes, darker dried fruits emerge, and one taster even noted hints of a dark wheat beer. A few metaphorical squeezes of lemon juice brighten the profile. On the palate, it begins sweet and soft, almost buttery tender, before revealing woody spice, mushy dark banana, and hazelnut chocolate liqueur. Rosemary and clove add herbal warmth, while moist tobacco whispers through the mid-palate. The finish is short but buttery soft, with a delicately spicy sweetness and a final flicker of nutty bitterness. Dalmore 12 is matured in ex-bourbon casks before a portion is transferred to Matusalem Oloroso sherry casks, lending it that signature richness and depth. It’s not the most complex dram, but it’s undeniably charming, accessible, flavorful, and full of character. A worthy champion for a club just beginning its journey.