Dalmore 12 2006 SMWS 13.77 "Foraging the forest floor"

This is one I’ve been waiting a while to review, and feels a bit like the culmination of the recently reviewed Dalmore samples I posted not too long ago. I took a chance on this when it came up in the “Hidden Gems” of the month email (presumably just marketing for underperforming bottles). It sounded up my alley, and I was in an exploratory mood. Once I opened it, it became one of my favorite whiskies, a real surprise as a peat fan (almost exclusively at that time). Has it remained there?

Dalmore 12, 2006 Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society 13.77, Highland Single Malt, 59.9% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on September 21, 2006 and matured in a 1st-fill bourbon barrel for 12 years yielding 174 bottles. This is part of the Oily & Coastal flavor profile named “Foraging the forest floor”. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Deep gold; 0.8.

Nose: Fruit and malt. Mossy, earthy. Some vanilla in there.

Taste: Salt, wood, beach. Woodsy and bitter.

Finish: Malt, cereal, spice, wood. Salt lingering. Long.

It’s tough to say why, as no specific element really jumps out at me here, but this just really hits where I want it to. I’m glad I took that chance, and I’m sad it’s not a regular thing, nor representative of the source distillery.

Score: 92

Musical Evocation: Finsterforst – “Traumwald”