My first bottle of single malt

[Burnt Tongue]

My wife sends me to the b&m for some wine for Thanksgiving dinner and I am looking around in the store. I have been reading the scotch posts and I think to myself; go check out the scotch section. The only choices there are all blends, boring. Don't forget I live in Bumbkintown so I work my way down to the bourbon section when I spot 1 bottle of a single malt scotch mixed in with the bourbon. The price tag says $34 on it. So I grab the bottle and check out with the wine and my first bottle of single malt (I'm 57 and I never bought anything other than Johnny Walker to have around for guests). I can't wait to get home to read what AVB says about my scotch!

I start poking around and he does'nt have it in the review list. Next I go to the list of who makes it. It is not there either! WTF! What did I buy? Next I do a serch to see if anyone mentions it. I see a few pawltry entries about someone owning a bottle or buying a bottle. No comments about what it tastes like or anything else. Jeez AVB WTF did I buy? Tell me something.

1 bottle of Dalmore 12 year old Single Highland Malt.

Am I going to regret this purchase?

 

[sack]

Dalmore 12 has been discussed and reviewed by AVB and the peanut gallery more then sufficiently. Persevere my friend! :thumbs:

 

[Burnt Tongue]

I don't see it in the review list.

 

[AVB]

Actually, The Dalmore 12 yo hasn't been yet reviewed by me. So many scotches and only so much time and money. I do have one and it is a decent 12 yo, not exceptional but decent. It won't have the bite of JWB because there isn't any Islay malt in it but it will be somewhat sweeter.

I'll be looking for your thoughts on it in the near future.

Edit: It is listed in the "Who Makes It" look under the Whyte & Mackay Group

 

[badhangover]

I went to the SMWSA tasting event in Los Angeles, CA (Santa Monica, actually) a couple weeks back. The Dalmore 12 blew me away for taste and value. They told me it had a price point of $25, which is what drew my attention to it (on the lookout for new everyday drams). I've since learned it could be procured for anywhere from $20 - $35. It's my new favorite at that price range.

For the outstanding value it offers of its cost versus its taste, I'm all over it.

 

[Burnt Tongue]

Well everone has gone home, I feel like a stuffed pig. I don't think I will eat again until Saturday. I did want to update you guys on the Dalmore, I had it in a rocks glass with 1 ice cube. I had 4 of them, I guess that means I liked it. Thats great, just what I need, another expensive habit.

 

[AVB]

Yep, 4 pretty much means you liked it. It is an expensive habit.

 

[cabaiguan juan]

Damn, I was hoping you'd want to off-load the scotch.

 

[Burnt Tongue]

Let me ask you experts something. It the 18 year old stuff better?

 

[AVB]

I don't know of an 18 yo Dalmore. The 21 yo I've reviewed and it is pretty good, much better then the 12 yo. IMO.

Let me ask you experts something. It the 18 year old stuff better?

 

[badhangover]

If you've got the $$$ to burn, I'd suggest giving their Stillman's Dram a whirl. I was perusing AVB's Scotch blog a while back and I think I saw a review of his for the Stillman's Dram 30yo age statement in it. I'm not positive, but I think they have discontinued that in favor of a 28 yo age statement bottling.

 

[AVB]

You are correct, the 30 is discontinued and the 28 is the one available now. However, for a new scotch drinker I think the law of diminishing returns comes into play and the 21 would be the one to get. As I said in my review of the Stillman's Dram.

"While a 30 yo scotch is one to be savored the better buy is the Dalmore 21 yo. You get 98% of what the 30 yo offers at half the price. If you are new to Dalmore, the 21 yo is the one to get."

 

[badhangover]

I will agree with the diminishing returns aspect, and for that reason, I am so in love with the value to be found in the 12yo. Price per dram, it's my favorite in their line of the ones I have sampled thus far.