The Dalmore Distillery

The Dalmore’s story

The Dalmore distillery and its range of single malts are held in high regard by whisky drinkers and collectors alike. It sits in a gorgeous location on the shores of the Cromarty Firth and looking across to the Black Isle. Dalmore translates as ‘big meadow’ from the local Gaelic language.

For much of its history The Dalmore has been a blending malt. Occasional single malt bottlings were released, and these helped to create early consumer interest in the brand. Since the 1960s the distillery has supplied much of its whisky to the popular Whyte & Mackay range of blends.

The 1990s saw a strategy to establish The Dalmore as a single malt brand by the ownership. This accelerated in the early 2000s with the current premiumisation really ramping up in the latter part of the decade. Now The Dalmore is positioned as one of the most prestigious and luxurious Scotch single malts. This is supported by an award-winning core range and numerous old, rare and limited-edition releases.

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The Dalmore’s history

The Dalmore was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson and is in the small Highland town of Alness, around 35 minutes drive north of Inverness. However, arguably the most significant date in Dalmore’s history came in 1867 when Andrew and Charles Mackenzie began working at the distillery.

The brothers became sole owners in 1891 and introduced their family emblem to the distillery – the 12-point stag. This has become synonymous with The Dalmore and stems from a story dating back to 1263 – the Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, Colin of Kintail, saved King Alexander III from a marauding stag. The King awarded the Mackenzie family the symbol of the beast as thanks.

Mackenzie Brothers Ltd merged with Whyte & Mackay in 1960 and this began The Dalmore’s long association with the famous blending company. The distillery remains owned by Whyte & Mackay, which is now part of the larger Philippines-based Emperador Inc. They took control in 2014 and own the Whyte & Mackay blended whisky brand, plus the single malt distilleries of Fettercairn, Jura and Tamnavulin.

The Dalmore is currently a bit of a building site with the distillery in the final stages of a major three-year renovation and expansion. This will see a new still house where the former maltings were housed, with the remainder of the distillery reconfigured. A new visitor centre is also being constructed. The result will see annual production levels almost double to nine million litres.

• How to pronounce The Dalmore? dal-moor
• Country: Scotland
• Region: Highlands
• Founded: 1839
• Current owners: Whyte & Mackay
• Production capacity per year: 9 million litres
• Mash tun: 2x 10.4 ton
• Washbacks: 17
• Stills: 16
• Visitor centre: Yes

The Dalmore Distillery
Alness
IV17 0UT
tel – +44(0)1349 778950
www.thedalmore.com

Did you know?

The spirit stills at The Dalmore are unusual in that they are equipped with water jackets. This increases reflux within the still – this process re-condenses alcohol, which runs back into the still and gets re-distilled.