Dalmore King Alexander 1263 and Dalmore Reserve-Do they work in cocktails?
A few weeks ago we wrote about Dalmore King Alexander 1263 which is a scotch that’s comprised of several different barrelings ranging from Mediterranean Madeira drums,and Matusalem Sherry butts from Spain, to Port pipes from the Douro and sweet Bourbon barrels from Kentucky.
During the original process of reviewing this product, the question came up would a scotch of this caliber and in this price range(that of $200) work in cocktails or would it be considering wasting a beautifully produced spirit.
After tasting the Dalmore King Alexander 1263 and figuring out how all the flavor notes intertwined with each other, we came up with the following recipes.
A drink fit for a King named Alex
1 ½ oz Dalmore King Alexander 1263
½ oz Grand Marnier
½ Remy 1738
Absinthe Rinse-Use Lucid
Orange Zest
The 3 Second Kick
1 ½ Oz Dalmore King Alexander 1263
½ Oz of Milagro Anejo Tequila
½ Oz of Black Strap Rum
3 Dashes of Averna
2 Dash of Orange Bitters
Muddled Jalepeno
Note:The name of the drink comes from the reaction that occurs about 3 seconds after you have a sip. The jalepeno sets in with a bit of a kick.
Following up working with the Dalmore King Alexander 1263, we decided to see how the results would turn out working with the Dalmore Gran Reserva.
While the King Alexander 1263 is created using a combination of six different barrelings, the Gran Reserva is created using a combination of only two, giving it a differently flavor profile than that of the King Alexander. Using a combination of 60% scotch that was aged in sherry wood, and 40% scotch that was aged American White Oak creates a spirit with a unique flavor profile that includes notes of toffee, and sherry with a smooth finish.
After tasting the Dalmore Gran Reserva, again we decided to see what cocktails would work with this spirit as a main component.
A Few Heated Words
(This was a play on the the infamous “Last Word”, and Phil Ward’s “Last Ward”)
1 ½ oz Dalmore Gran Reserva
½ Maraska
½ oz Velvet Falernum
3 Dash of Whiskey Barrel Bitters
1 Dash West Indian Bitters
¼ Oz Green Chartreuse
Muddled Ginger
Place in metal mug or shaker
Light Drink on Fire once it’s been placed in mug.
Pour back and forth several times as you would with a Blue Blazer.
Pour results into mug.
Top with 5 dashes of chocolate bitters.
Note: For presentation purposes I’d prefer a coupe glass, however after about ten minutes the drink began to get cold and lose something.
Angry Connery
1 ½ oz Dalmore Gran Reserva
¼ Canton Ginger Liquor
¼ Campari
2 Dashes Peychaud Bitters
Muddled Blueberries
Shake with Ice
Serve in old-fashioned glass with one large ice cube.
