Whisky Review: Diving into The Dalmore Luminary No.2 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky!
Our first official review is for a one of a kind whisky! The Luminary No.2 2024 Edition is a 16-year expression matured in ex-Bourbon casks and finished in Graham’s Tawny Port pipes and 30 year old Apostoles Sherry casks. The rarity of this release is that peated Dalmore was used, which adds a whole new dimension to the whisky.
The house style we associate with The Dalmore is ripe with flavors of citrus, figs, vanilla, and honey, with chocolate and hints of nuts and coffee on the finish. The Luminary No.2 marriage of casks amplifies these flavors and also brings to the table crème brûlée and rich cherries. The peated barley comes through as more spice and toasted wood than peat smoke.
This whisky is absolute perfection straight from the bottle. The cask influences, the spirit, and peat are balanced. Even at 48.6% ABV, no water is needed. We love the non-chill filtered, higher ABV releases from The Dalmore. So much flavor, such a wonderful experience on the palate.
Mateo’s Malts is truly a team effort with Mateo heading the selection, acquisition, travel and history while Alex figures out what food pairing will maximize the flavor. In the spirit of a fully rounded review, we will share our favorite sweet to pair with this whisky is a sea salt caramel. The almost pop rock sensation of sweet, smoky bursts of orange, syrupy cherry, with a hint of maple are transformed to a perfectly textured crème brûlée custard with a crunchy, golden top. A fantastic complement with the slightest nuance of smokiness.
So far, we have tried this expression on a cool, fall night with Cuban music filling the air whilst overlooking our nearest body of water, then again while poolside, and finally just on the couch. One thing that stands clear, no matter what location you pair with this expression, you are in for the rarest of celebrations of the art of whisky making.
Treat yourself to this whisky from Dalmore! Can’t wait to see what the No.3 release will be!
