Dalmore Alexander the 3rd 2011 Version 40% NAS

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (83)

NederlandsA rather poshy NAS that they first launched around twelve years ago if my memory serves me well. Sadly only at 40% vol. while it's rather a little too expensive… Colour: full gold. Nose: what's really pleasant here is that this baby's really and integrally on honeyed oranges, triple sec (Cointreau, Grand-Marnier) and soft herbal teas for senior citizens, such as chamomile (manzanilla in Spain, nothing to do with the stunning finos from Sanlucar). Awesome nose, extremely coherent, with even touches of rhum agricole and toasted brioche coming through. So, as far as the nose goes, it's rather flawless. Mouth: those 40% vol. did not really get any bigger or more expressive than when I first tried this slightly pedestrian King. It's a rather dry malt, completely different from what the nose had been suggesting, with notes of burnt wood and tobacco, black tea, a slightly sour maltiness and, sadly, very little orangeness, except a few tiny touches of Sevillian marmalade. Finish: rather short, a little drying. A little burnt caramel, black tea, stems, oak… Comments: good juice – after all they've been assembling six different kinds of wine casks – but the minimal strength doesn't quite do it justice on the palate and I would say it became drier on over the years. But what a nose!

BOW (84)