In 1263, Colin of Kintail, Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, took a bold decision to stand up and be counted, and felled a charging stag which attacked King Alexander III of Scotland. In return for saving his life, the grateful King gifted the 12-pointed Royal Stag emblem to the Mackenzie Clan as a reward.

When descendants of the Mackenzie Clan took over the ownership of The Dalmore distillery in 1867, they continued to honour this brave act and proudly put the 12-pointed Royal Stag on the bottle. To this day, the Stag still adorns each and every bottle of The Dalmore.

To celebrate the pioneering and innovative values of the Mackenzie Clan, Dalmore’s Master Distiller has painstakingly created the only single malt in the world to unite a unique six cask finish for one outstanding achievement. Spirits matured in ex-bourbon casks, Matusalem oloroso sherry butts, Madeira barrels, Marsala casks, Port pipes and Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques are combined in perfect harmony to create a uniquely complex, yet smooth single malt. This is the embodiment of brave creativity and a lifetime’s experience.

The Dalmore 12 year old, with its intricate aromas and flavours, is recognised as a whisky with character far beyond its age. This was Andrew Mackenzie’s original masterpiece and stood apart from the norm of the day. At a time when it was standard practise to mature whisky for no more than 6 years, Andrew Mackenzie demonstrated his pioneering character by doubling the maturation period. His boldness truly paid off, The Dalmore 12 year old still stands apart as an exceptional whisky today, as it did then.

Matured for an initial nine years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, the spirit is then divided for its final flourish. One half remains in the bourbon barrels, while the other is transferred to exclusive 30 year old Gonzalez Byass Matusalem Oloroso sherry butts before they are reunited to create this phenomenal whisky.

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 the result of extended maturation and the influence of the wood.

Matured initially for 14 years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, the spirit is then transferred to 30 year old Matusalem oloroso sherry butts for a further four years. These sherry butts from the world-renowned sherry house Gonzalez Byass are selected exclusively for The Dalmore.

The 2022 release of The Dalmore 21 Year Old was initially matured in American oak casks and finished in first-fill Matusalem oloroso sherry butts from Gonzalez Byass, creating layers of rich fruit and warm spices throughout the palate.

On the nose, savour the citrus sweetness of Sanguinello blood oranges from Seville, melting into rich notes of bitter dark chocolate and roasted Colombian coffee and the warm scent of Madagascar vanilla pods.

On the palate, taste sweet liquorice stick, Black Forest fruits, roast walnuts and Christmas cake marzipan. The Dalmore 21 provides a triumphant, lingering finish with layers of peach, ginseng, pear tarte tatin and Sanguinello blood orange.

Matured in sherry casks, the majority of which were first-fill, this is a sweet and spicy whisky with notes of vanilla, fresh ginger and pear.

This 18-year-old whisky is part of The Soleo Collection: a range of five whiskies from Glenrothes, ranging from 10 to 25 years old, which pay homage to the grapes from which some sherries, such as Pedro Ximénez, are made.

Tasting notes:

Aroma
Orange oil, vanilla pods, pear and almonds.

Taste
Sweet, ginger, rose water, pears and vanilla.

Finish
Sweet, spicy and slightly peppery.