The Dalmore distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson, an ambitious and visionary Scottish businessman. At a time when most producers were settling in the Speyside or Islay regions, Matheson chose to establish his distillery on the banks of the Cromarty Firth in the Highlands. This unique and strategic location would give the whiskies produced there a distinctive character.
In 1867, Matheson leased the distillery to the Mackenzie family, a move that marked a major turning point. The Mackenzies, already known in the spirits world, would profoundly influence Dalmore's identity. They were notably granted the right to use the 12-point Royal Stag emblem, an honorary distinction stemming from a Scottish legend : in 1263, an ancestor of the Mackenzie clan supposedly saved King Alexander III from a charging stag. In gratitude, the monarch granted them the right to bear the crest. Now the official emblem of Dalmore, this symbol is one of the most iconic in the whisky world today.
The Rise of Dalmore
By the end of the 19th century, Dalmore reached a crucial milestone. More than just a commercial success, its signature style began to solidify. This identity was largely based on a decisive choice: finishing the whiskies in Oloroso sherry casks from the González Byass bodega in Andalusia. These carefully selected casks infuse the distillate with the rich and complex notes that would, over time, become the distillery's aromatic hallmark.
In 1917, during World War I, the Royal Navy requisitioned the distillery, not to produce whisky, but to manufacture munitions. This forced conversion led to a fire in 1920 that severely damaged the buildings.
The recovery was slow. After a lengthy legal battle between the Mackenzie family and the British Navy, compensation was finally secured, allowing the distillery to be rebuilt and production to resume.
A Distillery at the Forefront of Innovation
In the 1950s and 1960s, Dalmore distinguished itself with a spirit of innovation that was rare for its time. It was one of the first distilleries to explore new aging techniques. While sherry casks remained central to its identity, it also experimented with Port, Madeira, and even red wine: a bold approach that helped forge its reputation as a refined single malt.
At the heart of this dynamic was a key figure: Richard Paterson, also known as "The Nose." Arriving in the 1970s, he revolutionized the approach to aging and blending with an extreme attention to detail. His mastery of cask finishing gave rise to iconic expressions, including The Dalmore 62, which sold for €150,000 at a 2011 auction at Changi Airport in Singapore.
Dalmore: A Scottish Whisky Icon
oday, Dalmore belongs to the Whyte & Mackay group, which is owned by the Asian company Emperador Distillers Inc. Thanks to this international expansion, Dalmore has strengthened its position among the world's most prestigious Scottish distilleries.
Some of its most iconic bottlings include:
DALMORE 12 ans
84.9 €
DALMORE 12 ans
By founding the Dalmore distillery in 1839, Sir Alexander Matheson embarked on a daring challenge: to create the first 12-year-old whisky. This innovation established a method that would become the standard for single malt whiskies, while his neighbors and competitors were content with a maximum of six years of aging.
After nine years in ex-bourbon casks, half of the precious liquid continues its maturation in casks that held 30-year-old Oloroso sherry, while the other half remains in bourbon casks. Even today, The Dalmore 12 Year Old is as impressive as ever in its elegance and complexity.
DALMORE 15 ans
149.5 €
DALMORE 15 ans
For this 15-year-old version from the Dalmore distillery, the initial maturation lasts for 12 years in American white oak bourbon casks. Afterward, the whisky is divided equally into three types of sherry casks, amoroso, oloroso apostoles, and matusalem, where it rests for another 3 years. The final result is a perfectly structured, rich, and delicious single malt where robustness vies with elegance.
DALMORE King Alexander III
For this superb expression, Richard Paterson outdid himself. King Alexander III is the result of a marriage of six different maturations from Dalmore, brought together in a single bottle: bourbon, Matusalem oloroso sherry, Madeira, Marsala, Port, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The result, a stunning blend of richness and complexity, expresses the unique characteristics of each cask. A true masterstroke from a master blender!
DALMORE 25 ans
1750 €
DALMORE 25 ans
What’s the art of maturation? The Dalmore 25 Year Old is a perfect illustration. Imagine two beautiful spirits, both from the same maturation in new American oak casks, separated to age respectively in 25-year-old Palomino Fino sherry casks and 1980 first-fill bourbon casks. They are then reunited to finish their journey in Tawny Port casks from Portugal. The result is a treat of exotic fruits, marzipan, vanilla, and chocolate truffles that tell the story of this unique journey through wood and time.
Unrivaled Expertise
The signature of The Dalmore lies in its rich and perfectly balanced style. It is the result of meticulous aging and a rigorous selection of sherry casks, which provide depth and complexity. The stills, with their short and wide necks, give the distillate a dense, silky, and almost creamy texture.
With over 180 years of history, The Dalmore continues its journey among the great names of Scotch whisky. Faithful to its heritage, the distillery keeps reinventing itself and captivates enthusiasts worldwide with the bold character of its single malts.
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