Description

Dalmore 1980 Stillman’s Dram

Dalmore 1980 Stillman’s

• Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Distillery Bottling

70cl / 45%

Whyte & Mackay’s now-defunct range for older whiskies was called the Stillman’s Dram. This is a 1980 vintage Dalmore, a distillery whose bottles now appear with a rather different look.

These old Dalmores usually put me in a moral dilemma. On the one hand, they are insanely expensive… on the other hand, the ones I could try so far were also extremely good! Let’s check this one… Colour: amber gold. Nose: starts rather delicately, slightly subdued, almost shy… and elegant. It’s rather on the tarte tatin/honey side at first nosing, as well as on oranges and maybe a little tamarind chutney. There’s also a little musk, old roses, then touches of camphor, tiger balm… but only touches! Goes on with hints of rum baba, chocolate, bananas flambéed, roses again… even something slightly muscatty. Keywords: subtle elegance. Dalmore 1980 Stillman’s Dram

Maybe a little feminine? (I’m sorry, ladies.) Mouth: once again, this baby is relatively soft, subtle and shy at first sips but it’s soon to become more talkative. What’s very nice as well is that the oakiness is obvious but intricately mingled with the fruits, first tangerines and oranges, then more candied quince, kumquats and bananas. Nutmeg and cinnamon complement the profile (oak) while the whole remains very slightly shy(ish). Finish: medium long, more on chocolate and green pepper. A tannicity in the aftertaste (apple pips and peelings). Comments: I like this Aurora quite a lot but my all time favourite Dalmore will remain the fantabulous 50yo from five years ago (WF 96