There's a good argument for autumn being whisky's optimal season: together they make the perfect match, both for cosy nights in on the sofa and for out-door fireside sipping with a hip-flask. And the colder it gets outside, the more we look for a dram that brings us plenty of warmth and spice - in that sense, the new Dalmore 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select couldn't arrive at a better time.

The new and delicious offering from the Highland Single Malt maker celebrates the affinity between The Dalmore and sherry - or as The Dalmore Master Distiller Richard Paterson puts it, the "union of the Scottish highlands warmth of the Andalusian sun in Spain." The Sherry Cask Select begins its journey in American white oak ex-bourbon casks where it spends ten years maturing, laying down the foundations of the distillery's house style: chocolate, orange and spice. The sherry finish comes from a direct collaboration between Paterson and three cask partners from Andalucia - Tevasa, Vasyma and Paez. Together they curate the perfect casks from European and American virgin oak, known for their active and extractive qualities.

A bespoke sherry blend is then created, comprised of classic and aged Oloroso and rich and sweet Pedro Ximénez wines. This unique sherry is further customised for each maker ahead of seasoning and filling the casks for a full finish of up to three years, exploiting the ability of the oak casks to soak up these wines. Once the whisky realises Richard Paterson's flavour vision, the assemblage is brought together, gifting delicious layers of sherry, bursting with sweet fruit and decadent spice. Simply stunning.

Tasting Notes

The Dalmore 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select comes in at 43% ABV and is described by Richard Paterson as: "Elegance personified, this whisky displays a multitude of spectacular flavours. Its full finish in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks reveals a more floral, light and refined side to The Dalmore. A truly decadent masterpiece!”

Nose
Caramelised orange, ginger and sultanas, laced with honey.

Palate
Dark chocolate and crushed almonds with a dusting of cinnamon.

Finish
Sweet mangos, pannacotta and lemon sponge cake, bottled at 43% ABV.

The Dalmore 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select will be available online and in-store at The Whisky Shop at the end of September. To be the first to know when it's on the shelves, sign up to The W Club for just £30 a year where members get priority notice on new releases.