We recently had the honour of attending The Dalmore Royal Feast which was held in the luxurious VVIP private room of Whisky House Kuala Lumpur. Located on the 47th floor of the TSLAW Tower, the Whisky House Kuala Lumpur is a haven for whisky enthusiasts who desire a private gathering, live band performances, romantic dinners with partners, or a night out sampling various types of whiskies in the lounge. The Whisky House Kuala Lumpur is a sanctuary for whisky lovers, carrying over a hundred different brands and expressions. The establishment also has a panoramic view of the nearby TRX as well as the Kuala Lumpur skyline. The VVIP room has a minimum spend of RM8,000 and comes fully equipped with a DJ area, karaoke facilities, a private restroom, minibar and of course – a view of the city.

Tailored for whisky aficionados, The Dalmore Royal Feast delves into the rich tapestry of The Dalmore, a single malt whisky renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and time-honoured traditions. Built in 1983, the Dalmore distillery was first owned by entrepreneur Alexander Matheson. He soon passed it on to the Sunderland family, who continued running it for over thirty years until 1869, when the Mackenzie brothers, Alexander, Charles, and Andrew, took over the distillery. The distillery was a family business until the 1960s when White & McKay, one of Dalmore’s main customers, took over.  

As we settled into the plush embrace of Whisky House KL, we were served The Dalmore 12 Year Old Old Fashioned.

Starter

Each course arrived with meticulously plating, a testament to the chef’s artistry and a harmonious pairing with a corresponding Dalmore expression. Seared Miyagi scallops glistened with citrus butter, their delicate sweetness accentuated by the refreshing fruit relish, while the accompanying Dalmore 12 Year Old Marsala Highball provided a delightful counterpoint with its notes of dried fruit and spice.

The Dalmore 12 is aged for the first nine years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, before half is transferred to ex-oloroso sherry casks for the final three years. The result is a whisky with a combination of sweetness and rich, sherried flavours.

TASTING NOTES:

Colour: Deep and golden mahogany.

Aroma: Citrus fruits, chocolate and aromatic spices.

Palate: Citrus, oloroso sherry, vanilla pod.

Finish: Roasted coffee and chocolate.

A palate cleanser of Madeira sorbet arrives, its refreshing coolness and subtle sweetness resetting our senses for the main course. This interlude serves as a reminder of the thoughtful pacing of the evening, each element meticulously considered to maximize our enjoyment.

Main Course

The pièce de résistance is a premium lamb loin, its succulent flesh enveloped in a rich lamb jus infused with a touch of Madeira. The bold tannins and complex flavours of the accompanying French Cabernet Sauvignon danced on our tongues, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

No Dalmore Royal Feast is complete without indulging in the rich world of chocolate. A Valrhona Guanaja 70% dark couverture chocolate cake arrived, its decadence a perfect canvas for the complex aroma of The Dalmore 15 Year Old. The Dalmore 15 year old is smooth, rich and well-rounded. The epitome of The Dalmore house style. This delicate and approachable vintage is initially matured for 12 years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks. The character of The Dalmore 15 is achieved by then splitting the whisky equally between three different sherry woods; Amoroso, Apostoles and Matusalem oloroso for a further three years.

TASTING NOTES:

Colour: Deep and golden mahogany.

Aroma: Orange marmalade, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Palate: Mandarin, vanilla and ginger.

Finish: Christmas spice and oak.

The cheese course offered a final flourish, featuring a matured white cheddar paired with The Dalmore Port Wood Reserve. The sharp tang of the cheese and the sweet, fruity notes of the whisky created a delightful contrast, marking a fitting conclusion to this epicurean exploration.

The Dalmore Port Wood Reserve showcases the distillery’s experimentation with casks from around the world. This expression marries Dalmore’s weighty whisky with the rich port-cask fruit and spice. Matured first in American white oak bourbon casks, it is then finished in port pipes from W&J Graham before being bottled at 46.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Clove-studded orange, rich raspberry and prune, a touch of sponge cake.

Palate: Chocolatey at first, before waves of dried fruit and stem ginger notes appear. A touch of earthy bitterness develops later on, balanced by runny honey.

Finish: Roast chestnuts, gingerbread and tobacco.

As the night drew to a close, we raised a glass of The Dalmore King Alexander III. This exceptional whisky, aged in a combination of American white oak and Matusalem Amoroso sherry casks, embodies the spirit of the evening – timeless elegance, unwavering quality, and a commitment to exceeding expectations.

In 1263, Colin of Kintail, Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, took a bold decision to stand up and be counted, and felled a charging stag which attacked King Alexander III of Scotland. In return for saving his life, the grateful King gifted the 12-pointed Royal Stag emblem to the Mackenzie Clan as a reward.

When descendants of the Mackenzie Clan took over the ownership of The Dalmore distillery in 1867, they continued to honour this brave act and proudly put the 12-pointed Royal Stag on the bottle. To this day, the Stag still adorns each and every bottle of The Dalmore.

To celebrate the pioneering and innovative values of the Mackenzie Clan, Dalmore’s Master Distiller has painstakingly created the only single malt in the world to unite a unique six cask finish for one outstanding achievement. Spirits matured in ex-bourbon casks, Matusalem oloroso sherry butts, Madeira barrels, Marsala casks, Port pipes and Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques are combined in perfect harmony to create a uniquely complex, yet smooth single malt.

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma: Red berry fruits and hints of passion fruit.

Palate: Citrus zest, vanilla pod, crème caramel and crushed almonds.

Finish: Cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.

The Dalmore Royal Feast is more than just a dinner; it’s an experience. It’s a chance to delve into the rich heritage of The Dalmore, to savour culinary artistry paired with premium Scotch whisky, and to create memories that will linger long after the last drop is savoured.

The Whisky House Kuala Lumpur is located at:

Level 47, TSLAW TOWER, No.39, Jalan Kamuning, Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Telephone: 011-2775 8686

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whiskyhousekl