Dalmore

Dalmore stands at Alness, on the northern shore of the Cromarty Firth in Ross-shire. It was founded in 1839, and from the later nineteenth century it was run for many years by the Mackenzie family. The twelve-pointed stag on every bottle comes from the Mackenzie clan, whose legend tells of an ancestor saving King Alexander III from a charging stag. The distillery is now owned by Whyte & Mackay.

The stills are unusual: they come in different shapes and sizes, and the spirit stills have flat tops and water jackets around their necks, which encourage reflux. The house style is rich and rounded, and Dalmore is known for its heavy use of sherry casks, notably oloroso and Matusalem casks from González Byass, alongside bourbon casks and finishes in port and wine casks.

The official range starts with the 12 Year Old and includes the 14 and 15 Year Old, Port Wood, Cigar Malt Reserve and King Alexander III, which brings together whisky from several cask types. The Trio and the Vintage Collection are other releases, and older expressions such as the 30 Year Old sit at the top. Distillery exclusives, like a 17 year old with a Merlot barrique finish, appear from time to time.

Although Dalmore is best known through its own bottlings, independent bottlers also release it. Our catalogue lists casks from Gordon & MacPhail, Douglas Laing, Hunter Laing, Duncan Taylor, Ian Macleod, Signatory Vintage, Darkness and That Boutique-y Whisky Company.