The Whiskyphiles

Dalmore

dalmore-distillery
  • Founded: 1839
  • Status: Operational
  • Region: Highland, Scotland – Alness, Ross-shire IV17 0UT +44(0)1349 882362
  • Online: https://www.thedalmore.com/
dalmore-12-year-old-whisky
Image courtesy of Master of Malt

History “The Dalmore” Distillery is located in Alness, which is 20 miles North of Inverness. It sits on the banks of the Cromarty Firth overlooking the Black Isle, the “big meadowland”, from which it takes its name. The Dalmore distillery is owned and operated by Whyte and Mackay Ltd, which is owned by Philippines based Emperador Inc. The legend of The Dalmore dates back to 1263, when Colin of Kintail, Chief of the clan Mackenzie, saved King Alexander III of Scotland from a charging stag. As a reward the grateful King, granted Colin of Kintail the lands of Eilean Donan, the motto ‘Luceo Non Uro’, which translates to ‘I Shine, Not Burn’ and the right to use the 12-pointed Royal Stag as the Mackenzie clan crest. The distillery itself was established many years later in 1839 by entrepreneur Alexander Matheson, who after 28 years decided it was time to pass the distillery onto new owners. Andrew and Charles Mackenzie came forward, and as members of the clan Mackenzie they brought with them the iconic 12-pointed Royal Stag emblem, the caberfeidh which has adorned every bottle of The Dalmore since.

The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

Official Bottling
  • Dalmore 12 Years Old Sherry Cask Select (2020) – Dalmore 12 Years Old Sherry Cask Select Whisky Review: A classic Dalmore, from memory this does have some deeper nut/fruit/chocolate flavours in here than the standard Dalmore 12 Years Old – though it has been some time since I last tried the standard expression. I’d be interested to see at what price this retails at, though Dalmore fans will likely buy it regardless. 84/100
  • Dalmore 15yo Dalmore 15 Years Old (2013) – The Dalmore 15 Years Old (40%, OB, 2012) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: The Dalmore Distillery Bottling: Emperador; Whyte & Mackay ABV: 40% Cost: £52.45 What they say: The Dalmore Distillery has been producing exceptional single malt whisky since 1839 and, for almost a century, was owned by the Clan Mackenzie. The clan’s […]
  • dalmore-18-year-old-whisky Dalmore 18 Years Old (2016) – Dalmore 18 Years Old (43%, OB, 2016) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Dalmore Distillery Bottling: Emperador / Whyte & Mackay ABV: 43% Cost: £86.22 What they say: An evolution of The Dalmore house style, this 18 year old expression harnesses bolder notes. A robust and formidable whisky, The Dalmore 18 year old showcases […]
  • Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve (2021) – Quite drying and spiced with a rich fruit backing and some malty spirit backbone too. Busy cask influences but generates a wonderful complexity and structure. 84/100
  • Dalmore Port Wood Reserve (2021) – The Dalmore port wood reserve strikes a great balance between port cask influence and ex-bourbon oak matured Dalmore spirit. 84/100
  • Dalmore The Quartet (2021) – Another complex and cask driven creation but building on Dalmores solid foundations, my favourite of the tasting. 85/100
  • Dalmore The Trio (2021) – Smooth and easy-sipping, this feels a little more integrated than the ‘Reserves’ caramel, vanilla and honey predominate here to assist with this easy-feeling before fruit and spice announce the cask influences. 84/100
Independent Bottling
Cadenhead
  • Dalmore 11 Years Old Duthies (2015) – Dalmore 11 Years Old Duthies (46%, Cadenheads, 354 Bottles, 2012) Single malt scotch whisky 46% ABV, £36 for 70cl Score: 83/100 What they say: Duthies Range William Cadenhead Ltd introduces the Duthies Collection William Cadenhead (1848-1904) was a traditionalist, well known and highly revered as the founder of Scotland’s oldest independent bottler. His nephew, Robert […]
Douglas Laing
  • dalmore-17-year-old-1996-cask-10206-old-particular-douglas-laing-whisky Dalmore 17 Years Old 1996 Old Particular (2016) – Dalmore 17 Years Old 1996 Old Particular (48.4%, Douglas Laing, Refill HH #10206, 139 Bottles, 2014) Whisky Review Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Dalmore Distillery Bottling: Douglas Laing; Old Particular ABV: 48.4% Cost: Sold out What they say: Independently bottled by the chaps at Douglas Laing, this Dalmore single malt spent 17 years […]
  • Dalmore 17 Years Old 1997 Old Particular (2015) – Dalmore 17 Years Old 1997 Old Particular (55.5%, Douglas Laing, Refill HH #10427, 237 Bottles, 2014) Single malt scotch whisky 55.5% ABV, £78.45 for 70cl Score: 87/100 What they say: A 17 Year old expression from Dalmore distillery bottled as part of the Old Particular range One of 237 bottles charged from a refill hogshead. […]
Gordon & MacPhail
  • GM_Connoisseurs_Choice_Dalmore_2001_46_70cl Dalmore 2001 Connoisseurs Choice (2016) – Dalmore 2001 Connoisseurs Choice (46%, Gordon & MacPhail, 2015) Whisky Review Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: The Dalmore Distillery Bottling: Gordon & MacPhail; Connoisseurs Choice ABV: 46% Cost: £40.33 What they say: Gordon & MacPhail, one of the world’s leading single malt whisky specialists, has selected a special series of whiskies to showcase […]
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
  • SMWS 13.47 it's a knockout SMWS 13.47 It’s a knockout (2015) – Dalmore 10 Years Old 2005 13.47 It’s a knockout (59.3%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon Barrel, 199 Bottles, 2015) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Dalmore Distillery Bottling: Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask 13.47 It’s a knockout ABV: 59.3% Cost: £51.70 Score: 89/100 What they say: 13.47 It’s a knockout Cask No. 13.47 This was not subtle to […]