Illuminating a new partnership between
The Dalmore distillery and the Mackenzie
Clan.
 A
few nights ago a unique gathering of
Mackenzie Clan supporters and whisky
aficionados’ came together at the
National Gallery of Scotland in
Edinburgh.
Underneath the shadow of the famous
Scottish painting; ‘Fury of the Stag’,
the first few bottles of a new edition
of The Dalmore Mackenzie were unveiled
and enjoyed.
Only 3,000 limited edition bottles of
this new highland single malt are being
released to mark a new era in the
distillery’s long affiliation with The
Mackenzie Clan, and to help raise much
needed funds for this famous Scots
family.
The Mackenzie family, owners of The
Dalmore distillery for almost a century,
provides the inspiration for The
Dalmore’s iconic stag head logo and its
motto “I Shine, Not Burn” which is also
the clan motto.
The launch celebrates the single act of
courage that an ancestor of Clan
Mackenzie made when saving King
Alexander III in 1263 from being gored
by a stag, a scene that is depicted in
the painting.
The star of the show was the iconic
piece of art, quite literally, as not
only did it take pride of place at this
event, it was also projected on to the
National Gallery itself for one night
only, so that the whole of Edinburgh
could appreciate its brilliance in an
entirely new way.
The partnership aims to raise funds
to help refurbish and maintain Castle
Leod and to support a range of
activities organised by The Clan
Mackenzie Society of Scotland & The UK.
According to The Dalmore’s master
distiller Richard Paterson this is the
first step of a long-term commitment,
and the brand is hoping to raise a seven
figure sum in the next 10 years to help
protect this important piece of Scottish
history.
He added: “Whether you are a Mackenzie
or not, with only 3,000 bottles
available globally, this is your chance
to own a little piece of Scottish
history.
“I have been nurturing casks at The
Dalmore and monitoring their progress
for some four decades. The challenge to
craft a whisky fit for the Earl and all
Mackenzies was an inspiration. I am
proud to be able to help the clan by
creating a whisky with a regal heritage
and one which is truly fit for a
king…….as well as a Clan Chief!”
Each limited edition bottle will be
individually numbered and is adorned
with the Clan and the brand’s iconic
Royal stag formed in molten metal. All
purchasers are entitled to claim a
limited edition print of the famous
painting personally signed by the head
of the Clan himself who continues to
reside at Castle Leod.
The Earl of Cromartie and chief of the
clan, John Mackenzie, says; “As the head
of the Clan I speak for all Mackenzie’s
to say that we are really excited to be
part of this special event which brings
to life this iconic painting in more
ways than one, celebrating a piece of
history that forms the foundation of our
joint heritage, as well as the dawn of a
new era in our continued partnership
with the distillery.
“I am delighted that The Dalmore are
supporting the preservation of Castle
Leod for not only me, but for the Clan,
and for Mackenzies around the world and
of course for Scotland”
Richard Paterson concluded: “This is the
first step in a longer journey with the
Clan Mackenzie as we work together for
mutual benefit. The Dalmore and the Clan
are inextricably linked. There are not
many brands in the world that have these
true royal connections, and we hope to
announce more projects like this over
the next couple of years. Watch this
space.”
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The first spirit used was distilled in
1992 and held in American white oak
casks for some 11 years. The Dalmore
then finessed the whisky by re-filling
to fresh port pipes from the douro.
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