In celebration of 180 years dedicated to creating masterpiece whiskies, The Dalmore today unveiled a rare, limited edition 60 year old single malt whisky. The Dalmore 60 Year Old reflects the enduring legacy of the distillery, its pioneering spirit and restless pursuit of the perfect whisky.

The Dalmore 60 Year Old has been created from two twin casks – the last casks of the great Mackenzie era - which have been lying in repose side by side in the Scottish Highlands. The rare whisky represents the entrepreneurial spirit of the unbroken chain of visionary whisky makers at The Dalmore, from the Mackenzies, to today.  This extraordinary Single Malt Whisky is limited to just three decanters in honour of The Dalmore’s 180^th anniversary.

Since 1839, The Dalmore distillery has continually pushed the boundaries of whisky making. For three generations, the distillery was led by the Mackenzie Clan, who were at the forefront of the whisky making craft. Under their stewardship, The Dalmore established longstanding, deep-rooted alliances with suppliers to source exquisite casks, which today remain an integral part of the quality and depth of The Dalmore’s character. The Mackenzie Clan took the decision to adorn each decanter with the distinctive Royal stag, which has become an icon recognised worldwide. 

The Dalmore is now led by Master Distiller Richard Paterson, who has been the creative force behind the brand since 1970. Paterson helped to strengthen The Dalmore’s reputation for curating and reuniting exceptional casks, most recently including the one-of-a-kind L’Anima, which was created in partnership with the famed Italian chef Massimo Bottura and was sold at Sotheby’s for £108,900.

In honour of this rich history, Paterson created The Dalmore 60 Year Old by reuniting two extremely rare ex-sherry casks from six decades ago – the very last casks of the Mackenzie era. Filled with spirit first distilled on 7^th June 1951, these two ex-sherry casks have been slowly maturing and building layers of depth and complexity, with the whisky in each cask evolving in an entirely different direction for sixty years.

Richard Paterson noted: “Over the course of the past 180 years, The Dalmore has constantly strived for perfection, setting the standards for many other whisky makers today. The Dalmore 60 Year Old is a fitting tribute to the masterful talents of our distillers past and present, who have all helped to create an incredible body of work. For me personally, nurturing and caring for these two casks has been a true labour of love. The reunion of the two spirits has produced an unforgettable whisky that is truly greater than the sum of its parts.”

The Dalmore 60 Years Old will be unveiled at an exclusive celebration at The Dalmore’s highland home to mark 180 years of whisky making brilliance, before embarking on a global tour to Shanghai, Los Angeles, Taipei, and London.

The Dalmore’s 180 Years of History – A Masterpiece in the Making

1839 – The Dalmore distillery is founded by Alexander Matheson

1946 – Colonel Hector ‘HAC’ Mackenzie takes over from his father as Distillery Manager

1967 – The Dalmore distillery increases the capacity of stills from four to eight

1970 – Richard Paterson, widely regarded as the greatest whisky maker of his generation, joins The Dalmore’s parent company Whyte & Mackay 

1988 – Colonel Hector ‘HAC’ Mackenzie passes away, closing the chapter of the
Mackenzie era

1994 – The Dalmore’s iconic ‘bell-shaped’ bottle is introduced.

2007 – The Dalmore King Alexander III launches, the world’s first six cask finished whisky

2010 – The Dalmore 64 Trinitas, with only three bottles produced, becomes the most expensive single malt whisky ever sold

2013 – The Dalmore Paterson Collection is released in homage to Master Distiller Richard Paterson, and the 12 bottle collection goes on sale at Harrods for £987,500

2019 – The Dalmore L’Anima is released; developed in partnership with famed Italian chef Massimo Bottura, the one-of-a-kind bottle is sold at Sotheby’s for £108,900, with proceeds benefiting Massimo Bottura’s charitable foundation

2019 – The Dalmore 60 Year Old, limited to three decanters, launches to celebrate The Dalmore’s 180^th Anniversary, with the second and third final decanter to be released in subsequent years, to mark the 180^th Anniversary

Single Malt Whisky Tasting Notes:

Summary:                   An extraordinary single malt whisky, once tasted, never forgotten.

Colour:                         Deep mahogany, beaming copper and flashes of amber gold.

Aroma:                         Generous and full, with a robust overture of aged oloroso sherry, treacle toffee, and liquorice stick, with hints of balsamic. A further layer of Old English marmalade, freshly ground Java coffee, dark bitter chocolate and molasses immediately follows on. Subtle whispers of glazed cherries, moist Napoleon cake, and sun kissed raisins linger enticingly in the background.

Palate:                          The sherry wood has cast its magical charm to reveal enticing flavours of pecan pie, banana fig cake, crushed almonds, and hints of Chinotto oranges. As these enchanting flavours disperse, they are quickly replaced by juicy raisins drenched in Marsala, thick treacle, overripe pineapple and frangipane.   

Finish:            Whispers of black treacle, ginger spice, and cocoa powder.

ABV:                           70cl, 41.7% ABV