After my positive experience with the Dalmore 18 Year Old, I thought I should try the Dalmore 15 Year Old as well. It is initially matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished for three years in three types of sweet (or sweetened) sherry: Amoroso, Apostoles and Matusalem casks. The spirits are then married in an upstanding sherry butt.
Dalmore 15 yo
(40%, OB +/- 2017)
Dalmore 15 yoNose: typical oranges, juicy raisins and toffee. Behind it is more obvious wood than in the 18, a slightly peppery kick and cinnamon. Light tobacco. Some apple pie too.
Mouth: again less thick than the 18, less sherried and certainly less sweet than expected. Lots of malty notes, toast. Nice hints of tangerine mid-palate. Pepper, cocoa, dark roast coffee. Hints of liquorice and plenty of spices. A hint of hickory.
Finish: medium long, on bitter chocolate and grassy notes. Bitter oranges.
Quite good again, though less thick and at the same time somehow woodier than its older brother. Very decent, and Master of Malt has a good price, but perhaps I would try to save my money for the Dalmore 18 Years.
Score: 80/100