Dalmore Cigar Malt 750ML

Dalmore Cigar Malt 750ML is a no-age-statement Highland single malt Scotch whisky bottled at 44% ABV in a 750ml bottle, designed specifically to complement fine cigars. It earned 93 points from Whisky Advocate and a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, affirming its standing among richly layered single malts.

Quick Facts: ABV: 44%  |  Origin: Highlands, Scotland  |  NAS (No Age Statement)  |  Distillery: The Dalmore (Est. 1839)

Production & Heritage

The Dalmore Distillery has operated on the banks of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands since 1839, known for its distinctive stag emblem and long commitment to sherry-cask maturation. Cigar Malt undergoes a proprietary triple-cask process: the spirit first matures in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, then portions are transferred into Matusalem Gonzalez Byass Oloroso sherry casks — which account for roughly 70% of the final vatting — and premier cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques from Bordeaux. This unusual three-cask approach, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon finishing, was engineered by longtime master blender Richard Paterson to build a flavor profile rich and structured enough to stand alongside a full-bodied cigar without being overwhelmed.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with warm cinnamon bark and soft vanilla, followed by a wave of ripe red fruits — think stewed plums and blackcurrant. Beneath that lies a subtle sweetness reminiscent of caramelized sugar and dried orange peel.

Taste: The entry is broad and immediately rich, with banana toffee and thick custard coating the palate. At mid-palate, tropical fruit emerges alongside bitter citrus peel and chocolate chips, building into a peak of caramel and vanilla ice cream that gives the whisky its signature indulgent weight.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with dark chocolate and crushed spices lingering alongside tangy orange zest. A subtle dryness from the Cabernet Sauvignon influence keeps the sweetness in check and leaves a clean, slightly tannic close.

How to Drink Cigar Malt

This whisky was purpose-built for neat sipping, ideally at room temperature in a wide-bowled glass that lets the complex aromatics unfold. A few drops of water can open up additional fruit notes without diminishing the body. For cocktail use, its richness works well in a Rob Roy, where the sherry-influenced sweetness plays against dry vermouth; a Blood and Sand, where the tropical fruit and chocolate notes complement the cherry liqueur and orange juice; and an Old Fashioned, where the toffee and spice profile stands up beautifully to bitters and a twist of orange.

Best For

• Pairing with a premium cigar after a celebratory dinner
• Gifting a single malt enthusiast who appreciates cask-influenced complexity
• After-dinner sipping as a dessert substitute
• Adding depth to a curated home whisky collection focused on sherry-matured Scotch

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cigar Malt taste like? Dalmore Cigar Malt delivers a rich, dessert-like profile dominated by toffee, custard, dark chocolate, and tropical fruit, with bitter citrus and crushed spices adding depth. The overall impression is full-bodied and indulgent, with a long, warming finish.

How does Cigar Malt compare to The Balvenie 12 DoubleWood? Both use a combination of bourbon and sherry cask maturation, but Cigar Malt adds a third dimension with Cabernet Sauvignon barriques, resulting in a heavier, more tannic profile at 44% ABV versus DoubleWood's 40%. The Balvenie tends toward honey and lighter fruit, while Dalmore pushes into darker chocolate and richer toffee territory.

Is Cigar Malt good for sipping neat? Cigar Malt was specifically designed for neat consumption alongside cigars, and its 44% ABV delivers enough intensity to hold up to tobacco smoke while remaining smooth enough to sip slowly over an extended session.

Where is Cigar Malt made? It is produced at The Dalmore Distillery in Alness, on the shores of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands. The distillery has operated continuously since its founding in 1839.

What foods pair well with Cigar Malt? Dark chocolate truffles amplify the cocoa notes in the finish. Blue cheese provides a salty counterpoint to the toffee sweetness. Crème brûlée mirrors the custard and caramel on the palate. Dried figs and dates echo the concentrated fruit character from the sherry casks. Smoked almonds complement the whisky's subtle oak spice.

What sizes does Cigar Malt come in? Dalmore Cigar Malt is primarily available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Cigar Malt worth the price? Cigar Malt positions as a premium expression within The Dalmore's core range, sitting above entry-level offerings like the 12-year-old. The triple-cask maturation process, use of high-quality Gonzalez Byass sherry casks and Bordeaux wine barriques, and its 93-point Whisky Advocate score support its placement in the upper-premium tier for NAS Highland single malts.

Why Cigar Malt?

What separates Dalmore Cigar Malt from the increasingly crowded field of sherry-finished single malts is the deliberate inclusion of Cabernet Sauvignon barriques in the maturation process — a step that introduces a structured tannin backbone rarely found in Scotch whisky. The 93-point score from Whisky Advocate and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirm that this triple-cask approach produces results that resonate with both critics and competition judges. Rather than functioning as a gimmick built around cigar culture, the whisky genuinely delivers a flavor profile — rich, layered, slightly tannic, and long-finishing — that holds its own beside full-bodied tobacco. It remains one of the few single malts on the market engineered from the ground up for that specific purpose.