The Dalmore Single Malt
Encyclopedia
The Dalmore is a distillery in Alness
, Scotland
, located about 20 mi (32.2 km) north of Inverness
. The waters of the River Alness (River Averon), which runs through the village, are used to produce its whiskies.
The distillery is best known for producing a single malt scotch whisky
of the same name. Its location and flavour qualify it as a "Highland
malt." The Dalmore distillery is owned and operated by Whyte and Mackay Ltd.
, a trader who made his fortune in illegal opium imports from the Far East. It sits on the banks of the Cromarty Firth overlooking the Black Isle, the "big meadowland," from which it takes its name. The distillery was bought by the MacKenzie family in 1886.
It has been passed down that in 1263, a predecessor of the Clan MacKenzie saved King Alexander III from a rampaging stag whilst out hunting. In reward, the King allowed him to bear the Royal emblem of a 12-pointed stag in his coat of arms. Recently, the MacKenzie motto Luceo non Uro or I shine, not burn has also been taken up by Dalmore.
In a renewed effort to popularise the brand, the packaging was recently re-designed, which includes the addition of the Dalmore's 'twelve-pronged stag' from the clan crest on each bottle.
The Dalmore is aimed at both the mainstream and high-class markets. 'The 50' is the oldest, and most expensive, whisky sold by the distillery, and only available 10cl bottles, of which only 242 were produced. Alongside this is 'the 40' which won gold at the International Wine and Spirit Challenge Awards in both 2007 and 2008.
Dalmore Single Highland Malt Whisky is distributed in Australia by Think Spirits.
competitions. Posting solid ratings at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Beverage Testing Institute, the 18-year in particular has done well. Proof66 rates the Dalmore 18-Year amongst the Top 20 scotches in the world.
Alness
Alness is a town and civil parish in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. It lies near the Cromarty Firth, with the town of Invergordon to the east and the village of Evanton to the south west...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, located about 20 mi (32.2 km) north of Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
. The waters of the River Alness (River Averon), which runs through the village, are used to produce its whiskies.
The distillery is best known for producing a single malt scotch whisky
Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
of the same name. Its location and flavour qualify it as a "Highland
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
malt." The Dalmore distillery is owned and operated by Whyte and Mackay Ltd.
Establishment
The Distillery was established in 1839 by Alexander MathesonAlexander Matheson
Alexander Matheson may refer to:*Alexander Wallace Matheson , Prince Edward Island politician*Sir Alexander Matheson, 1st Baronet , Scottish businessman and Liberal politician...
, a trader who made his fortune in illegal opium imports from the Far East. It sits on the banks of the Cromarty Firth overlooking the Black Isle, the "big meadowland," from which it takes its name. The distillery was bought by the MacKenzie family in 1886.
It has been passed down that in 1263, a predecessor of the Clan MacKenzie saved King Alexander III from a rampaging stag whilst out hunting. In reward, the King allowed him to bear the Royal emblem of a 12-pointed stag in his coat of arms. Recently, the MacKenzie motto Luceo non Uro or I shine, not burn has also been taken up by Dalmore.
In a renewed effort to popularise the brand, the packaging was recently re-designed, which includes the addition of the Dalmore's 'twelve-pronged stag' from the clan crest on each bottle.
Whiskies
The award-winning Dalmore Single Highland Malt Whisky Collection is matured in a wooden casks (either sherry wood or American white oak) which, along with the years and the climate, contributes to the flavour of each malt.The Dalmore is aimed at both the mainstream and high-class markets. 'The 50' is the oldest, and most expensive, whisky sold by the distillery, and only available 10cl bottles, of which only 242 were produced. Alongside this is 'the 40' which won gold at the International Wine and Spirit Challenge Awards in both 2007 and 2008.
Dalmore Single Highland Malt Whisky is distributed in Australia by Think Spirits.
Awards
Dalmore offerings have generally performed very well at international spirit ratingsSpirit ratings
With a growing number of microdistilleries and an expanding number of offerings from large corporate entities, a number of institutions have arisen to provide professional evaluations of individual spirits...
competitions. Posting solid ratings at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Beverage Testing Institute, the 18-year in particular has done well. Proof66 rates the Dalmore 18-Year amongst the Top 20 scotches in the world.
Record Price
- On the 15th April 2005, a bottle of 62 year old Dalmore was sold by Denis Barthe Bar Manager of the Ascot Bar at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot Surrey for £32,000. The blend was a mix of 5 casks, from 1868, 1878, 1922, 1926 and 1939. Only 12 bottles were produced.
- On 17th Sep 2011, 62 year old Dalmore Scotch whisky, was bought by an unknown Chinese businessman for £125,000, making it the most expensive bottle of Scotch ever sold.