The Dalmore 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml
Product details
| Management number | 253705433 | Release Date | 2026/10/24 | List Price | CA$34.00 | Model Number | 253705433 | ||
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The Dalmore 12 Year Sherry Cask Select is built around what the distillery calls "the love affair between Scotland and Spain." It uses casks from three historic cooperages in Jerez de la Frontera, each seasoned with a special assemblage of aged Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez wines that the distillery says is unseen anywhere else in the industry. The result is a single malt with twice the sherry influence of the traditional Dalmore 12 Year Old.
The whisky starts in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, which lay down Dalmore's house style of chocolate, orange, and spice. It is then finished in the special sherry casks, balancing the nutty, dry character of Oloroso with the sweet, dark-fruit richness of Pedro Ximénez. It is non-peated, bottled at 43% ABV, and sits on a heritage that dates to Andrew Mackenzie's original 12-year-old, created at a time when six years was standard maturation. Compared with another sherry-finished Highland malt, one retailer notes that Dalmore's custom blend across three Andalusian cooperages gives it "a denser, darker fruit profile."
The official tasting notes describe a nose of "caramelised orange, ginger and sultanas, laced with honey," a palate of "dark chocolate and crushed almonds with a dusting of cinnamon," and a finish of "sweet mangos, panna cotta and lemon sponge cake." Competition judges echoed that sherry character: the Ultimate Spirits Challenge found "the cask influence comes through in the aromas, showing baked plums, tangy nectarine, and toasted nuts." A critic's note adds "cherry syrup, wet walnuts, pomegranate seeds, and wood varnish, alongside cedar chest and earthy spice."
Not every reviewer agrees on its depth, and it's worth sharing candidly. Falstaff found it "complex on the nose with hints of brioche, marzipan, light milk cream and sweet cocoa," but "rather slender on the palate," with "subtle tart notes" in the middle and a "decent finish" of malt coffee. It is a rich, approachable, sherry-forward Highland malt with a strong awards record, and a good bridge between the classic 12 and heavier sherry bombs.
Origins & Craftsmanship
The Dalmore 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select is produced by The Dalmore Distillery in the Scottish Highlands, owned by Whyte & Mackay. The single malt is matured at least 12 years, first in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in sherry casks from three historic cooperages in Jerez de la Frontera, each seasoned with a special assemblage of aged Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez wines. Non-peated. Bottled at 43% ABV / 86 proof, 750ml.
Critics Reviews
Gold Medal, 96 Points — International Spirits Challenge, 2024
IWSC — 94 Points
Whisky Advocate — 91 Points
Finalist, Top 100 — Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 2022:
"The cask influence comes through in the aromas, showing baked plums, tangy nectarine, and toasted nuts."
Falstaff (tasted February 2026):
"Complex on the nose with hints of brioche, marzipan, light milk cream and sweet cocoa. Rather slender on the palate, after initial sweetness, subtle tart notes take over in the middle section. Decent finish with a lingering aftertaste reminiscent of malt coffee."
Critic tasting note:
"The sherry influence is apparent immediately on a perfumed nose — cherry syrup, wet walnuts, pomegranate seeds, and wood varnish, alongside cedar chest and earthy spice."
The Dalmore (official tasting notes):
"Nose: Caramelised orange, ginger and sultanas, laced with honey. Palate: Dark chocolate and crushed almonds with a dusting of cinnamon. Finish: Sweet mangos, panna cotta and lemon sponge cake."
Tasting Profile
Nose
Caramelized orange, ginger, and sultanas laced with honey, with baked plum, toasted nuts, cherry syrup, and a touch of cedar.
Palate
Dark chocolate and crushed almonds carry the entry, with cinnamon, cooked prune, blackberry cobbler, and layered sherry notes.
Finish
Medium-long and sweet, with mango, panna cotta, and lemon sponge cake, closing with warm spice.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky — Sherry Cask Finished |
| ABV / Proof | 43% ABV / 86 Proof |
| Age | 12 Years |
| Maturation | American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, then Oloroso & Pedro Ximénez sherry casks (3 Jerez cooperages) |
| Distillery | The Dalmore — Scottish Highlands (Whyte & Mackay) |
| Peated | No |
| Critics | Gold, 96 Pts International Spirits Challenge 2024 · IWSC 94 · Whisky Advocate 91 |
| Style / Identity | A rich, sherry-forward Dalmore with twice the sherry influence of the classic 12 |
| Aromas & Flavors | Caramelized orange, ginger, sultana, dark chocolate, crushed almond, cinnamon |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Food Pairings
- Dark chocolate truffles
- Aged Manchego
- Orange or almond desserts
- Dried fruit and nut boards
Serving Note
Enjoy neat or with a splash of water to open the orange, chocolate, and sherry notes.
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