Dalmore The Quartet Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)

A large format Dalmore released in 2020 as part of the Travel Exclusive series. This one's matured in four woods: first-fill ex-Bourbon, 30 Year Old Apostoles sherry, Matusalem sherry and Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon casks - hence the name. Described as "An exquisite fanfare of red grapes and juicy raisins with whispers of chocolate and liquorice", it was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2021 International Spirits Competition.

Other reviews... We're granted with one more wood and some extra 1.5% vol. Wow, this is generous! Actually, this is a typical Dalmore-y recipe, with some Cabernet-Sauvignon, two old VORS-like sherries, and some first-fill bourbon yet again. We know about the ages of the sherries (30 years) but not about the age of this whisky, how bizarre isn't it. Let's hope there's a majority of bourbon. Colour: gold. Nose: once again, the nose is wonderful, this time with Corinth raisins, preserved apricots, roasted nuts, black nougat, rather heavier chestnut honey, and just a tiny touch of gunpowder or struck matches. No problems. Oh and dried figs and the usual Grand-Marnier. So far, so lovely. Mouth: not this time, things happen smoothly, with jams, bags of raisins, dried dates and figs, and rather a little chocolate and coffee, Jaffa cakes, damson plums, then the usual cloves, star anise and cinnamon. Finish: medium, this time a little leathery again, with some tobacco, tea, ginger… But we're way above the trio. The aftertaste is a little too bitter again. Comments: a much better band, I mean whisky in my opinion, even if it is not the John Coltrane Quartet, naturally. Let's ask Miles Davis and his quintet what they thinks… 84 points - whiskyfun.com