The Dalmore Port Wood Reserve is one of the distillery’s most distinctive cask-finish expressions matured first in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, then finished in port pipes from W&J Graham, one of the Douro Valley’s most respected port houses, producing a Highland single malt where the port cask adds a thick, fruit-forward richness over Dalmore’s characteristic chocolate and orange base.

The Port Wood Reserve was born from Dalmore’s ongoing program of cask experimentation, which has included wine, sherry, and fortified wine casks across the range. The W&J Graham port pipes used for the finish carry a meaningful residual port influence thick dark fruit, blackcurrant, and dried plum that melds with the existing vanilla and toffee from the bourbon maturation and Dalmore’s signature Matusalem sherry cask character. Bottled at 46.5%, it has the structure to carry the port influence without the finish becoming cloying.

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Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich and complex dark berry fruit, dried plum, chocolate orange, caramel, and vanilla
• Palate: Full-bodied and warming at 46.5% port-cask dark fruit, thick spice, toffee, and dark chocolate
• Finish: Long and richly fruited with lingering port sweetness, spice, and bittersweet cocoa

Specs

• Distillery: The Dalmore, Alness, Ross-shire, Highland
• Region: Northern Highland, Scotland
• Cask Type: American white oak ex-bourbon, finished in W&J Graham port pipes
• ABV: 46.5%
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Dalmore Port Wood compare to Dalmore 12?

The 12-year uses bourbon then Matusalem sherry casks and produces chocolate, espresso, and marmalade character. The Port Wood Reserve uses bourbon then W&J Graham port pipes, shifting toward dark berry fruit and blackcurrant over the chocolate base. Bottled at a higher 46.5% ABV.

Is the port influence dominant?

The port finish is significant and clearly present dark fruit, plum, and a rich sweetness but sits alongside Dalmore’s existing chocolate and spice character rather than overwriting it. The result is layered rather than one-dimensional.

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