The Dalmore Launches Rivers and Castle Leod

by David Kiley (RSS feed)
Mar 18th 2011 at 2:55PM

The Dalmore whiskey label has released the second generation of its Castle Leod special edition, which raises money for the restoration of Castle Leod in Scotland.

Previously, The Dalmore had released an expression, MacKenzie, which raised 20,000 pounds toward renovation costs. Castle Leod was built in 1606 and is occupied by descendants of the original family owners--members of the MacKenzie Clan. It is located in the town of Strathpeffer in the Highlands.

The whisky was distilled in 1995 and has spent the majority of its time since maturing in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, before transferring for the last 18 months to red wine casks that previously held Cabernet Sauvignon wine and were sourced from a Premier Cru vineyard in the Bordeaux region of France.

There will be just 5,000 bottles made available for sale of Castle Leod. The price is 100 pounds per bottle, or $161.00.

The color is dark amber and the nose is rich and powerful with exaggerated aromas. There are notes of caramel, treacle, oranges and malted barley grains. Subtle notes of honey and vanilla are join in, and finally the red wine aromas kick in.

Tags: Castle and Leod, Clan MacKenzie, Single-Malt Scotch Whiskey, spirits, The Dalmore