The Dalmore 20 Year Old 1995 Sauternes Wine Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700mL

An exclusive special edition for La Maison du Whisky's 60th anniversary.

Limited to 290 x bottles.

Single Cask no. 4 matured in Sauternes barrels.

There can be no doubt that Richard Paterson took great pleasure every time he sniffed and tasted this cask no. 4, patiently waiting as the perfect marriage developed between the Dalmore and a prestigious Sauternes wine. By the time this particularly amorous balance is achieved, the single malt has handed almost the entire aromatic palette over to the Sauternes wine, along with the initial flavours on the palate. Then, with great conviction, the malted barley takes its rightful place in centre stage.

Profile: the nose is complex, with the Sauternes having a remarkable influence. Fruit, delicious honey and fine spices precede a particularly heady floral register. The palate is fruity (strawberry, raspberry), with notes of vanilla, chocolate and a profound maltiness. The finish is elegantly spicy and floral.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich, complex. The Sauternes’ influence is dazzling while also being wonderfully reserved and mellow. With a remarkable juicy, fruity sweetness (pineapple, William pear), the aromatic palette gradually swings between oak and candied grapes. Gently rocked by a mild chocolatey and herbaceous bitterness (sage, vervain) its fruity register continues to build. The crescendo comes with delicious honey, noble spices and heady florals (mimosa, broom).

Palate: Lively, clean. Intensely fruity (grapes, melon), the attack also offers notes of vanilla and liquorice. In the mid-palate, fine notes of chocolate mingle with red fruits (strawberry, raspberry). Well-rounded, it grows increasingly voluptuous and creamy. At last, the malted barley decides to take charge, creating the perfect balance between the Sauternes wine and the grain. Tremendous charm: the flavour palette is absolutely magnificent.

Overall: Silky, enveloping. With remarkable freshness, the finish is divinely chocolatey and roasted (coffee, tobacco). Very noble in its expression, it becomes powdery (cocoa), spicy (cardamom) and floral (lime blossom, mint). The retro-nasal olfaction reveals juicy citrus fruit (orange, tangerine) and various infusions (tea, lime blossom). The empty glass is camphoric, transporting us back to the Dalmore’s shadowy cellars.