The Dalmore 15 from the Highland region of Scotland, matured for 13 years in American white oak and then for a further year in a combination three styles of sherry wood (Matusalem, Apostoles, and Amoroso), definitely showed signs of this on the nose. This was the first Dalmore that the club has sampled and it did not disappoint.

Known for their orange overtones, you could understand this as the first sip hits with a blast of citrus flavour. With the additional year of sherry cask maturation, it smoothes out the citrus with what you would typically find in a more mature smooth sherry finish. After the initial taste, this dram does show some heat but finds a way to warm nicely as you finish it off. The finish was medium-long and brought in some additional flavour including a note of vanilla.

This moderately priced bottle for one of its class is one to be added to your collection, if you enjoy a nice warm whisky near the fire on a cold winter’s day, but has a hint of summer as shown by its citrus flavour.

The first impression of the BenRiach 20 is exciting.  The nose is spicy with a presence of oak which easily excites you into the full bodied flavour to come.
As you take the first sip of this speyside you will be greeted with a surprising smoothness and subtle appearance of smokiness that blends very well with the spiciness and oak picked up on the nose.

The long evolving finish is sure to please! The flavours slowly drift off into a sweetness of caramel and last but not least light note of chocolate.

This 20 yr single malt with its light, yet long lasting complex profile would be a great choice this summer!

First impressions of the Craigellachie 17 are definitely enticing. With a very light amber color and sweetness on the nose, this malt presents you with long, enduring legs on the glass. The nose itself yields a caramel or perhaps toffee coming to the forefront.

Letting the first sip roll around the mouth, the first thing that really stood out was the somewhat uncharacteristic warmth that comes from this Speyside. Not overpowering at all, the palate also presents you with the same sweetness found on the nose, which slowly evolves into a bit of smokiness, and a bit of spice too (pepper maybe?), though all in excellent balance.