Dalmore Distillery

Coordinates: 57°41′17.3″N 4°14′28.46″W / 57.688139°N 4.2412389°W / 57.688139; -4.2412389

Dalmore Distillery reception house in Alness

The Dalmore is a distillery in Alness, Scotland, located about 20 mi (32 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.

Establishment

The Distillery was established in 1839 by Alexander Matheson, 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 ratings 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.^[1]

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^[2].
• 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^[3].

External links

• Official website

References

1. ^ Proof66.com Top 20 Whiskies
2. ^ "Record Sale". http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_u/UB_Group/20110917_dalmore%20_scotch.html. 
3. ^ "Record Sale". http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_u/UB_Group/20110917_dalmore%20_scotch.html.