The Dalmore Luminary No.3 The Collectible is a 17-year-old Highland single malt from The Dalmore Distillery in Scotland. It starts in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels before finishing across seven cask types including vintage Calvados, Matusalem and Apostoles sherry and red wine barriques from Bordeaux and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Bottled at 49.2% ABV and limited to 20,000 bottles globally, it sells for around $400.
The first taste brings a big hit of Little Debbie Honey Buns, big on icing and sourdough bread all the way into a viscous (and almost sticky sweet) mouthfeel. A fruit cup medley — the kind one might find in a lunchbox — follows, with preserved peaches, pears, and maraschino cherries.
Lots of barrel spice and fizzy bitterness that comes across as white vermouth. Slightly herbaceous and bright with notes of lemon balm, sage, rosemary and setivia. Odd how none of those big sherry and red wine casks seem to be kicking in on the palate. The blackberry note from the aromas has vanished, too.