Whisky Focus - The Dalmore Cask Curation Series The Port Edition

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series The Port Edition


1st October 2024
Introducing the second chapter in The Dalmore Cask Curation Series, The Port Edition, a set of 3 rare aged Dalmore whiskies, a 27, 30 and 43 Year Old with each having been finished in different premium Graham's port casks.

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series The Port Edition

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series is a four-year program showcasing its exceptional whisky collections. The Cask Curation Series launched last year with the Sherry Edition and the folks at The Dalmore today unveiled this years instalment, The Dalmore Cask Curation Series The Port Cask Edition.

The Port Edition has emerged from a unique collaboration between The Dalmore and Symington Family Estates, which allows The Dalmore’s whisky makers exclusive access to the rarest Graham’s Port casks.

This collection features three exceptional, aged whiskies which they tell me highlights the flavour potential of Graham’s Port wine casks, each aged for decades under the expertise of winemakers, currently led by fourth-generation Head Winemaker Charles Symington. It is within The Dalmore’s whisky makers' hands that these carefully selected Port casks enhance the rich character of the renowned Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The Port Edition is elegantly presented in a custom leather-finished travel case, handcrafted in Florence, Italy, perfectly showcasing the trio of new expressions. Each age-statement whisky is contained in the iconic Dalmore bottle, complete with a matching collar. The presentation features a striking green hue, a nod to Portugal and its winemakers, which the Port Edition celebrates. The three whiskies are::

  • The 27 Year Old, finished in very rare Graham’s 1997 Single Harvest Tawny Port casks.
     
  • The 30 Year Old, finished in very rare Graham’s 1994 Single Harvest Tawny Port casks.
     
  • The 43 Year Old, finished in exceptionally rare Graham’s 1952 Single Harvest Tawny Port casks.

Each expression in the collection represents The Dalmore Single Malt in its purest form, having been finished in Graham’s 1994 Single Harvest Tawny Port casks. with natural colour and non-chill-filtered.

The Dalmore has previously introduced Port-finished expressions to wide acclaim, but it’s the distinctive influence of Graham’s rare Port casks that truly excites The Dalmore’s whisky makers. Each cask holds the potential to shape the whisky’s character, imparting rich notes of dark chocolate and fruits.

This exceptional collection is said to encapsulate over a century of whisky-making mastery. The story begins high in the Douro Valley, where Portuguese winemakers have, since the 1700s, painstakingly cultivated terraced vineyards carved into the schist soils. At Graham’s principal estate, Quinta dos Malvedos, grapes are handpicked annually and taken to the boutique winery on-site, where they are transformed into the exquisite wines for which Graham’s is renowned.

Ninety miles downstream, in Vila Nova de Gaia, Graham’s 1890 Lodge overlooks the historic city of Porto, the gateway to the Atlantic. After each harvest, Graham’s wines are brought to the lodge, where Master Blender Charles Symington carefully selects only the finest for long-term aging. These exceptional wines often remain at the lodge for decades.

Graham’s Lodge has become a must-visit destination for connoisseurs travelling to the Porto region, where millions come each year to explore the artistry behind creating the perfect Port. As a hallmark of port production, Graham’s continues to attract visitors eager to experience its exceptional craftsmanship.

The shared history of Scotland and Portugal is embodied in Graham’s origins. Founded by brothers William and John Graham in 1820, the company’s journey began when they accepted 27 pipes of port as payment for a debt. This transaction paved the way for the creation of one of the most esteemed port houses in history. In 1970, the third generation of the Symington family acquired Graham’s Port and has since elevated its reputation for producing world-class wines.

For decades, The Dalmore’s whisky makers have made the journey to Vila Nova de Gaia to personally hand-select rare port pipes, which are exclusively reserved for their whisky-making craft, ensuring a unique partnership between these two iconic houses.

"Graham’s really is special, as a peaceful place to meet the casks, and listen to them and their story. Plus, it is a unique place to enjoy The Dalmore, overlooking the river and the city. The collection is a celebration not only of partnership, but of the friendship between us at The Dalmore and the Symington family (owners of Graham’s Port)". Margaret Nicol, The Dalmore.

The careful selection of exceptional casks lies at the heart of The Dalmore’s renowned whisky-making artistry. Founded with the mission to craft a Single Malt like no other, the distillery pioneered multi-cask maturation in 1868. Today, under the leadership of Gregg Glass and Richard Paterson OBE, The Dalmore continues its legacy of visionary whisky makers, meticulously curating the rarest casks to create truly extraordinary whisky.

The Dalmore distillery’s distinctive stills produce a New Make Spirit of remarkable character and depth—robust and fruity, ideally suited for long and complex maturation. This enables The Dalmore’s whisky makers to age their spirit over extended periods, inspiring them to source the finest and rarest casks from the world’s top vineyards and bodegas. Each of these extraordinary casks holds unique potential, shaping the personality of The Dalmore Single Malt as it matures over months, years, or even decades.

This collection represents the second chapter in The Dalmore Cask Curation Series. In 2025, the third release will be introduced, followed by the fourth and final release in 2026, concluding the series. Each release will celebrate The Dalmore’s enduring partnerships with the world’s most esteemed winemakers.

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series - The Port Edition set is said to be a testament to the exceptional maturation potential offered by the rare Graham's Tawny Port Casks and as you can imagine you will need deep pockets if you want to taste these at £35,000 for a set. The Port Edition will be available f
rom specialist online whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

The Dalmore Cask Curation Port Edition 43 Year Old 1952 Cask Finish Review


Matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and then finished in Cask No. 1 – a 1952 Single Harvest Tawny Port cask from Graham’s Port, a genuine rarity in the Port world. Bottled at  41.8% ABV, naturally coloured and non-chill filtered.

Producer's Tasting Notes:

Nose: Forest fruits, plums, sugared almonds, cacao and star anise. Rounded with natural vanilla, soft caramel, dried apricots and baking spice.

Taste: Plum compote, passion fruit, marzipan and red and black liquorice. Complemented by Alphonso mangos and Morello cherries.

Finish: Notes Iced ginger cake, leather, sweet tobacco, poached pears, and soft wood spice.
 

The Dalmore Cask Curation Port Edition 27 Year Old 1997 Cask Finish Review


Matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and then finished in Cask No. 2 – a very rare 1997 Single Harvest Tawny Port cask. Bottled at  49.3% ABV, naturally coloured and non-chill filtered.

Producer's Tasting Notes:

Nose: Manuka honey, bergamot, marzipan and roasted Columbian coffee. Notes of Damsons balanced with allspice and cassia bark.

Taste: Ripe figs, blackcurrant and warm honey spice. Complemented with dark cacao, roasted chestnuts, dark toffee and liquorice.

Finish: Sugared almonds, citrus peel, crystallised ginger, and soft spice.
 

The Dalmore Cask Curation Port Edition 30 Year Old 1994 Cask Finish Review


Matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and then finished in Cask No. 3 – a very rare1994 Single Harvest Tawny Port cask from Graham’s Port, a genuine rarity in the Port world. Bottled at  43.9% ABV, naturally coloured and non-chill filtered.

Producer's Tasting Notes:

Nose: Warm honey, blood orange, Medjool dates, poached pears, and cinnamon. Layers of crème brulee, blackcurrant, and exotic spices.

Taste: Blood orange, soft plums, dates, red liquorice, dark chocolate brioche, Tahitian vanilla and patisserie spices.

Finish: Madagascan vanilla, black cherries, candied orange peel, dark roasted coffee and aged maple syrup.
 

Where To Buy Whisky Online


Select a country for a list of specialist Whisky shops who delivers to you:

 

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