I love Dalmore and have had the 12,15,18,cigar malt and the port wood. The port wood reserve is by far my least favorite. I know everyones palate is different but the port wood is not my favorite bottle. Unfortunately I bought 3 bottles expecting that I would love it as I do all the other Dalmores.
Dalmore needs to stop using E150 colourant and not use chill-filtration to appeal to more knowledgeable whisky collectors and drinkers. Well, at least they got the ABV right.
Every now and then a whiskey receives almost universal praise and I just don’t understand why. This is is the case with the Dalmore Port Wood Reserve. It is too aggressive, overly fruity and lacking in single malt complexity I expect at this price. I am SO disappointed, having decided between an old favorite Oban 14 year and this one, I sadly made the wrong choice. Better to buy a bottle of Four Roses reserve bourbon and wind up with a similar yet better, cheaper, and more developed flavor profile. It is a real shame.
Although I'm nowhere close to possessing the knowledge of Mr. Luening, I bet you will like whiskies from its neighbouring distilleries, lagavulin or ardbeg.