Dalmore | Elegance & Finesse

Dalmore have worked hard to position themselves as one of the world's foremost luxury whisky brands.

Their elegantly packaged crystal decanters will be familiar to frequent flyers, as they often adorn the high-end display cabinets of duty-free shops in airports around the globe, carrying price tags that suggest they’re targeting those travelling on a 1st class ticket. Of course, a premium brand needs a premium product, and in this regard, Dalmore have a not-so-secret weapon in the form of Master Distiller, Richard Paterson.

Known as “The Nose” on account of his highly attuned olfactory bulb (which is reputedly insured for in excess of £1,000,000), Paterson’s larger-than-life personality and outspoken antics have seen him become somewhat of a celebrity within the whisky-sphere, with YouTube videos of him explaining the “correct” way to enjoy a dram racking up millions of views. He has also been known to administer swift justice, in the form of a slap to the face of anyone he feels isn’t treating their dram with the proper respect. So, if you’re partial to a cube, or two, of ice in your glass, or knocking your whisky back like a shot, you might want to check your surroundings first. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

While this sort of slap-happy behaviour would land most people in hot water, Richard’s impressive industry credentials undoubtedly help him to get away with it. Over the course of five decades, he has deployed his heightened sense of taste and smell to craft some of the most impressive and important whiskies ever bottled, and elevated Dalmore to the heady heights it occupies today. Indeed, there is no other distillery able to compete with the mighty Macallan for bragging rights to the most expensive whisky ever sold at auction; a title that Dalmore has been able to snag on more than one occasion (including in 2002 when a bottle of 62 Year Old sold for £25,877.50 at this very establishment).

Of course, taste is subjective, so the only way to decide if Dalmore deserves their reputation for excellence is to try it for yourself. On that front we’ve got you covered, with an exceptional selection, from the affordable, but highly quaffable Cigar Malt, all the way up to heavy hitters such as the sherry finessed 1974 Vintage (lot 120, estimate £1500 to £2500) and the mighty 1966 Vintage 40 Year Old (lot 100, estimate £4500 to £6000). And, if you will insist on adding ice, just don’t tell Richard!

McTear’s is the longest-established auctioneer of whisky in the world. Entries are invited for this international auction. For a complimentary, no-obligation valuation, visit our Glasgow Galleries or contact our specialist on 0141 810 2880 or whisky@mctears.co.uk.