Dalmore 25 Scotch Whiskey (Tasting Notes, 7 Best Bottles)

The Dalmore 25 is an iconic single malt scotch made by the coveted Dalmore Distillery located in Alness, north of Inverness. 

Crafted by Master Distiller Richard Paterson, this exceptionally rich whiskey undergoes an elaborate aging process spanning 25 years.

What does it taste like? And what are the best Dalmore 25 bottles you can buy?

Let’s explore this phenomenal single malt scotch and how it’s made as you soak in the rich history of the coveted Dalmore Distillery. 

Also, discover if Dalmore 25 is a good investment and an easy way to invest in rare whiskey casks (through Vinovest).

Dalmore 25-Year Aged Single Malt Scotch: An Overview

The Dalmore 25 is a densely sweet and complex scotch whiskey with a distinct floral character. It has an ABV (a measure of alcohol in alcoholic beverages) of 42%.

It acquired complexity and distinct tasting notes through 25 years of meticulous maturation.  During the process, the distilled spirit passes through ex Bourbon casks and Sherry butts, finally resting in Tawny Port pipes until bottling.

This coveted whiskey is a part of the Dalmore Principal Collection alongside other illustrious names like the Cigar Malt Reserve and King Alexander III.

The 7 Best Dalmore 25 Bottles to Buy in 2023

Here are some of the Dalmore 25 whiskeys to get hold of:

1. 1960 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($7,347)
2. 2018 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($3,199)
3. 1984 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($1,615)
4. 2021 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($1,635)
5. 2022 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($1,604)
6. 2014 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($1,252)
7. Non-Vintage Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($1,524)

1. 1960 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($7,347)

This amber-hued whisky has intoxicating flavors of exotic fruits, fig cake, and dark chocolate on the nose. The palate has a woody smokiness with a creamy mouthfeel from Madagascan vanilla pods.

2. 2018 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($3,199)

Each sip of this scotch has an aroma of orange peel, treacle toffee, and soft vanilla notes. It has sweet damsons, sherry soaked raisins, and honey finishing notes.

3. 1984 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($1,615)

This exceptional whiskey has a dark woody aroma complemented by ginger, licorice, and citrus flavors.

4. 2021 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($1,635)

This scotch presents tantalizing citrus and white chocolate aromas accompanied by exotic fruits and spiced gingerbread cookies on the palate.

5. 2022 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($1,604)

This intense whiskey emanates whiffs of oak and bitter chocolate notes. The palate offers tart fruits, orange peel, and mature sherry tasting notes.

6. 2014 The Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($1,252)

Here we have a whisky that offers sumptuous aromas of maple syrup, spiced gingerbread, and bitter chocolate. The palate has traces of oak and fig cake flavors.

7. Non-Vintage Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($1,524)

This non-vintage Dalmore 25 has a nose of marzipan, exotic fruits, and honey notes. The palate has vanilla pods, chocolate truffles, and maple syrup tasting notes.

Dalmore 25 Aging Process

The Dalmore 25 goes through a time-perfected multi-cask maturation process under the eyes of Master Distiller Richard Paterson.

The whiskey is initially matured in an American white oak ex Bourbon cask, which infuses soft vanilla and honey notes into the whiskey. 

The scotch then undergoes a second maturation where it’s carefully separated between hand-sourced 25 year old sweet Palomino Fino Sherry butts and first fill Bourbon barrels. 

The spirit is brought together in new American oak barrels before finishing in aged Tawny Port pipes and barrels from Portugal.

These Tawny Port pipes are exclusive to Dalmore, sourced from the winemaker W&J Graham’s in Douro, Portugal.

Maturation in an ex Bourbon and ex Sherry cask lends fruity and spicy nuances, respectively, to the whiskey.

This rich whiskey-making tradition at the Dalmore distillery traces its roots to the 19th century.

A Brief History of the Dalmore Highland Distillery

The Dalmore distillery was founded in 1839 by entrepreneur Alexander Matheson. In 1878, the Mackenzie family took over the reins and introduced the iconic 12-point stag emblem that adorns the Dalmore bottles.

The Mackenzies held the distillery's ownership until 1960, when Whyte & Mackay, one of Dalmore's main customers, took charge.

In 2014, Whyte & Mackay was sold to Philippines-based brandy producer Emperador. 

Should You Invest in Dalmore 25 Scotch Whiskey?

Whiskey connoisseurs swear by the aromatic distilled spirits from the Scottish Highlands. The Dalmore 25 is one of the finest Highland scotch and deserves a place in your collection.

High ratings from whiskey critics and rave customer reviews are a testament to the impeccable taste and quality of this single malt scotch.

The spirit has several prestigious awards under its hat, including gold awards at the 2017 International Spirits Challenge and the 2018 International Wine & Spirit Competition.

As an investment, the Dalmore 25 scotch can potentially fetch solid returns down the line. Some of its finest bottles have appreciated impressively over the years. 

For instance, between 2021 and 2023: 

• The 1984 Dalmore 25 vintage rose from $1043 to $1612, registering a 54% appreciation.
• The 2004 vintage appreciated 193%, from $1090 to $3194.

But how do you go about investing in Dalmore and another high-end whiskey?

The best way to do that is to invest in whiskey casks through a trusted whiskey investment platform like Vinovest.

Invest in Whiskey Casks Through Vinovest

Vinovest is an AI-backed platform that provides a convenient way to buy, store, and sell some of the world’s rarest and most incredible casks of whiskies, including scotch and bourbon. 

Through Vinovest, you can do away with intermediaries and enjoy the savings. 

When you invest in a cask through Vinovest:

• Your whisky cask is fully insured, stored and managed by an expert team.
• You’ll receive a sample bottle from your cask each year.
• You can choose to sell your cask or have it bottled.
• You can set up an in-person visit to view your whiskey.

Check out Vinovest to explore how you can invest in exceptional whiskey casks from around the globe. 

Reserve a cask today or speak to an expert to know more.