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 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 from 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.
|
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|
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specialist Whisky shops who delivers to
you:
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