The Dalmore Launches Cigar Malt Signature Reserve 18 Year
The original Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve has been around for more than two decades, and now it finally has an older sibling. The Dalmore has launched Cigar Malt Signature Reserve Aged 18 Years, a permanent addition to its Principal Collection that pulls together five different cask types, including two red wine barriques. It is aimed at drinkers who like the red wine side of Dalmore and want more age and complexity, and at anyone who enjoys a cigar with their dram.
Did You Know?
The Dalmore's first Cigar Malt Reserve arrived over two decades ago, which makes the brand an early adopter of the whisky and cigar pairing idea.
This release is bottled at 46% ABV on purpose. According to The Dalmore, that strength is meant to keep the whisky clear and defined enough to refresh your palate between puffs.
The 12-point stag on every Dalmore bottle traces back to 1263, when King Alexander III of Scotland is said to have rewarded the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie with it.
The Release
Cigar Malt Signature Reserve Aged 18 Years is built in stages. It starts with 16 years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, which The Dalmore says provide sweetness and lift at the base of the whisky. From there, the whisky is finished in four more cask types: Matusalem Sherry casks, French oak Marsala casks, French oak Cabernet Franc barriques, and French oak Cabernet Sauvignon barriques. A barrique is simply a wine barrel of the classic Bordeaux size, and a finish means the whisky spends extra time in a different cask to pick up new flavors.
Five casks, each chosen for a specific job, is the whole idea behind this bottle. According to the distillery, the Matusalem Sherry casks add depth, dried fruit and nutty richness. The Marsala casks bring ginger warmth and spice, and help give the whisky a full, palate-coating texture. Cabernet Franc adds an aromatic note and a savory edge that keeps the whisky precise rather than heavy, while Cabernet Sauvignon contributes tannin and structure.
It carries the same Cabernet Sauvignon thread as the existing Cigar Malt Reserve, but with a much older age statement and a more layered cask recipe.
According to The Dalmore, the nose shows chocolate orange, dried fig and dark fruit, with hints of oud (a dark, resinous aromatic wood) and sandalwood. On the palate, expect forest berries, sticky dates, orange marmalade, dark chocolate and cinnamon spice. The finish is described as long, with dark fruit, nutmeg and cinnamon. The whisky is natural color and non-chill filtered, meaning no coloring was added and it was not filtered cold, a step some producers use that can strip out texture.
The presentation gets an update too. It comes in a bold scarlet gift carton that opens with a subtle pull tab.
The Story of The Dalmore
The Dalmore was founded in 1839 on the shores of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands. The distillery is in Alness, about 20 miles north of Inverness, and it has had a dramatic history. A 1920 explosion and fire, tied to a Royal Navy mine incident on the nearby firth, destroyed much of the site.
The silver stag on the bottle is the brand's signature, and it carries a story that goes back to 1263. The 12-point stag was given to the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie by King Alexander III of Scotland as a reward for exceptional bravery. It became the whisky's emblem when descendants of the clan took over the distillery in 1867.
Today the distillery is part of Whyte & Mackay, which took control in 1960 after being one of Dalmore's main customers. The Dalmore is best known for multi-cask maturation, using sherry, wine and other casks to build layered whiskies. This new release is a clear example of that approach.
Why It Stands Out
Plenty of whiskies are finished in a single wine or sherry cask. Using four finishing casks after a long ex-bourbon maturation is a more ambitious recipe, and the 18 year age statement puts it in serious territory. It is also a permanent release, not a limited edition, so it should be easier to find over time. For Dalmore fans, it fills the gap between the original Cigar Malt Reserve and the brand's much pricier bottles.
The Details
Style: Single malt Scotch whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV/Proof: 46% ABV
Cask/Finish: 16 years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in Matusalem Sherry casks, French oak Marsala casks, French oak Cabernet Franc barriques and French oak Cabernet Sauvignon barriques
Other: Natural color, non-chill filtered
Price (SRP): £299 / $387
Availability: Global, including thedalmore.com. Permanent addition to the Principal Collection
Release Date: October 19, 2026. The Dalmore Guild members get early access from October 15
Tonights Poison Take
This is a thoughtful extension, not a one-off. A red wine influenced 18 year old with a five-cask build gives Dalmore fans a reason to trade up, and the 46% bottling strength suggests the team cared about balance. At £299 / $387 it is a premium purchase, so it will be worth tasting before committing if you can. Cigar smokers will probably be the most interested, but the dried fruit, chocolate and spice profile should appeal well beyond that crowd.
Bar Talk: Dalmore's new Cigar Malt starts with 16 years in ex-bourbon barrels and then picks up four different finishing casks, including two red wine barriques.
Send this to the friend who pairs every good cigar with a better dram.
Please enjoy responsibly.
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