The Dalmore
The sherry-aged single malt with the twelve-pointed stag on the bottle. Everything about the varieties, the flavor of orange and chocolate, how to drink it, and the right glass to serve it in.
The Mackenzies' stag
The Dalmore is a single malt from Alness, on the Cromarty Firth in the northern Highlands. The distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson and was owned by the Mackenzie family for over a century. The twelve-pointed stag on the bottle is their clan emblem: according to legend, an ancestor saved King Alexander III from an attacking stag in 1263 and received the animal as his crest. Today, The Dalmore is part of Whyte & Mackay.
The house style is rich and sherry-driven. Every Dalmore first ages in American bourbon-industry oak casks, then in González Byass oloroso sherry casks, with port, madeira or wine casks added for the more expensive bottles. The result is a full-bodied, sweet whisky with orange, chocolate and spices. Master blender Richard Paterson made the brand famous with extremely old and expensive bottlings, but the 12 and 15 Years are affordable.
In brief
What types of The Dalmore are there?
From the 12 Years to the King Alexander III: all rich and sherry-forward, with an increasing variety of cask types and depth.
The Dalmore 12 Years
The classic: nine years in bourbon casks, then partly in oloroso sherry casks. Orange, chocolate, and a soft, warm finish.
12 Years Sherry Cask Select
The 12 with extra maturation in three types of Andalusian sherry casks, bottled at 43%. Richer, sweeter, and deeper than the regular 12.
The Dalmore 15 Years
Twelve years in American oak, then three years in three types of sherry casks. Full and velvety, with dried fruit and cinnamon.
Port Wood Reserve
Finished in tawny port casks and bottled at 46.5%. Creamy caramel, sweet plums, and a hint of coffee.
Cigar Malt Reserve
Bourbon, oloroso sherry, and Cabernet Sauvignon casks. Made to be enjoyed with a cigar: rich, sweet, and full of sherry and vanilla.
King Alexander III
Matured in six types of casks: bourbon, sherry, Madeira, Marsala, port, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Complex, fruity, and with no age statement.
The 12 Years is the whisky the brand is known for; the Port Wood is the finest step up.
Orange, chocolate, and sherry
Orange & sherry
Candied orange, dried fruit, and a hint of coffee and chocolate from the sherry casks.
Full and smooth
Round and sweet, with orange peel, dark chocolate, cinnamon, and a subtle nuttiness.
Long and warm
A long, warm finish of sherry, spices, and oak. Even fuller in the Port Wood and 15 Years.
Flavor profile of The Dalmore 12 Years. The Port Wood is sweeter and fruitier, while the Cigar Malt is richer and spicier.
Three ways to drink The Dalmore
A sherry malt like this is best enjoyed neat. A drop of water opens it up; ice is fine for the 12, but a shame for the older bottles.
Neat, in a tulip glass
Pour 30 ml into a tulip-shaped tasting glass and let it sit for a few minutes. Smell, taste, and optionally add a few drops of water: the orange and chocolate come through.
Glass: tasting glass →On the rocks
50 ml of Dalmore 12 over one large ice cube in a heavy tumbler. Cold and refreshing, with slightly less aroma; let the ice do its work for a while.
Glass: tumbler →Old Fashioned
60 ml Dalmore 12, a bar spoon of simple syrup and two dashes of Angostura, stirred over a large ice cube and finished with an orange zest. The orange in the whisky makes this a natural match.
Go to recipe →Cocktails with The Dalmore
A rich sherry malt works well in classics where the whisky takes center stage. Use the 12; save the older bottles for sipping neat.
Old Fashioned
Whisky, sugar and bitters over a large ice cube. Dalmore’s orange notes make it extra smooth.
Manhattan
Whisky, red vermouth and bitters, stirred. With Dalmore, it’s a Scottish Rob Roy instead of a Manhattan.
Godfather
Whisky and amaretto over ice. Two sweet, nutty flavors in one glass.
Whisky cocktails
All the whisky cocktails in one place, from Whiskey Sour to Penicillin.The right glass for The Dalmore
A tulip-shaped tasting glass for neat pours, a heavy crystal tumbler for on the rocks and Old Fashioneds, and a beautiful decanter for the cabinet. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything else you wanted to know about The Dalmore
Can’t find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What’s the alcohol percentage of The Dalmore?
What’s the difference between The Dalmore 12 and 15?
Is The Dalmore smoky?
What does the stag on the bottle mean?
The Dalmore or The Macallan?
What’s the best way to drink The Dalmore?
Buy Dalmore
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Dalmore online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 11, 4 of which are on sale.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as reported by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; it costs you nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
