For the past 180 years, The Dalmore has worked to perfect its complex multi-cask maturation of single malt scotch whisky. Now, the distillery is crafting a visitor experience to complement its world-class whisky – one that will offer an adventure into the expertise, legacy, and evolution of The Dalmore.
Learn more about the latest addition to the Walpole collective in our interview with Steve Pearson, Chief Marketing Officer at The Dalmore.
NOTE: Steve Pearson will be speaking on the panel exploring our 'Luxury in the Making' study at the Walpole British Luxury Summit 2024 on Monday 29th April at The Londoner. In-person and digital tickets are available now.
Walpole: Tell us about the history of your brand…
Steve Pearson: Founded in 1839 on the banks of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, The Dalmore has been making masterpieces of whisky for over 180 years. Its 12-point royal stag emblem was first bestowed upon Colin of Kintail, Chieftain of Clan Mackenzie, after he saved the life of King Alexander III of Scotland in 1263.
Six hundred years later, in 1867, descendants of the Mackenzie Clan took control of the distillery, and one of their first changes was to adorn every bottle of The Dalmore with the stag – a guarantee of peerless quality. For the next century, successive generations of the Mackenzie family ran the distillery, building an enviable reputation for the quality of their single malt.
Complex multi-cask maturation was a philosophy pioneered and perfected by the Mackenzies, and is a tradition we continue to this day. For almost two centuries, The Dalmore has pushed boundaries to mature our spirit in the rarest and most exalted of casks.
What is your brand best known for?
Our idiosyncratic collection of stills, no two the same, produces a uniquely characterful 'new make' – a robust, but fruity spirit particularly well-suited to longer and more complex maturation. This allows our whisky makers to fully express their creativity and artistry by maturing our whisky in the finest rare casks, sourced from bodegas and wineries around the world. Because of the unique character of our spirit, our whiskymakers can leave casks maturing for longer, and move spirit from one cask type to another, so each batch of whisky develops to its full potential.
The Dalmore’s whiskies are famed for their rich and rounded character, with a distinctive chocolate and citrus note at their heart. And The Dalmore brand is famous for having helped create the very idea of luxury Single Malt, with its rarest releases regularly setting record prices at auction.
What has been a significant achievement in your company’s timeline?
The Dalmore’s Luminary Series marks a new highpoint in the brand’s long history of creative collaborations and rare releases. A partnership with V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum, the series brings together luminaries from the worlds of whiskymaking and architectural design to celebrate the combination of creative flair and technical expertise.
This year sees the release of the Luminary 2024 Edition, in collaboration with Melodie Leung, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects. Melodie has worked with The Dalmore’s whisky makers to develop two limited edition whiskies and a sculptural piece to showcase the Rare release. The Rare edition will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in London in May with all proceeds donated to the cultural outreach work of V&A Dundee.
Why do you love the brand?
I think my colleagues, Rod Gillies, Global Brand Director for The Dalmore, said it best. He says: “It’s a privilege to be the steward of this magnificent whisky, if only for a small portion of its history. It’s amazing to work on something with so many ardent fans around the globe, with encouragement to create incredible packaging and to tell fantastic stories which reflect the quality and heritage of the whisky itself. The Dalmore is a long-standing icon of Single Malt, and everyone involved wants to build on that legacy to ensure The Dalmore is still enjoyed and revered two centuries into the future. Sometimes it’s humbling to work on something with such a long-term horizon; we’re laying down spirit that won’t be enjoyed by people until decades have passed.”
Why does your brand represent the very best in British luxury?
An unwavering commitment to quality sees our whiskymakers keeping a watchful eye on every batch of spirit. Our whisky is carefully curated over time through multiple types of cask, until each batch of spirit reaches its full potential. This approach, pioneered at The Dalmore distillery during the nineteenth century, is only possible because of the unique nature of our 'new make' spirit – the result of an idiosyncratic set of stills, one of the most complex stillhouses in scotch whisky. Every aspect of The Dalmore’s production process reflects a dedication to achieving perfection.
Beyond the spirit itself, the team at The Dalmore invests significant time and resource in the packaging and presentation of their whiskies. From crafting bespoke decanters adorned with precious metals, or partnering with renowned designers and craftsmen and women, The Dalmore consistently strives to elevate the whisky experience to new heights.
What attracted you to becoming a Walpole member?
Walpole has an impressive roster of members spanning an array of luxury sectors. We hope that through our membership, The Dalmore can align itself with other brands and businesses dedicated to upholding the highest standards of heritage, craft, and excellence.
We hope to maximise opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and collective advocacy on issues affecting the luxury industry. Through participation in Walpole events, forums, we can engage with key stakeholders and contribute to the British luxury sector’s continued growth, both domestically and internationally.
Tell us about an exciting development or new launch for your brand in the coming months?
The Dalmore is currently undergoing an ambitious distillery expansion project aimed at doubling its capacity to ensure sustainable long-term growth. This expansion initiative reflects The Dalmore's commitment to meeting growing demand for its exceptional whiskies, whilst ensuring the preservation of its legacy and quality standards.
We will be reinforcing our position at the apex of the whisky world by creating a world-class luxury visitor experience. Our vision is to curate exceptional whisky tastings, immersive tours, and bespoke events set against the stunning backdrop of our distillery, we aim to provide an unparalleled journey into the artistry and heritage of The Dalmore.
We would be delighted to welcome visitors from our fellow Walpole members once The Dalmore’s new visitor experience opens in 2025.
