Dalmore launches Port-finished 30YO

by Alice Brooker

Whyte & Mackay has released The Dalmore 30 Year Old 2021 Edition, the first bottling in a new annual series.

The new series celebrates the longstanding partnership between The Dalmore and Douro-based Port producer Graham's, with the Highland distillery's whisky makers receiving access to rare Graham's casks. This first release, a 30-year-old single malt, was aged in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks before being finished in Graham's 30 Year Old Tawny Port pipes. Whisky maker Gregg Glass said: “This new annual release, although instantly collectable, is intended for whisky fans seeking the finest Scotch whisky to enjoy every year, and we’re proud that it is a celebration of our longstanding relationship with Graham’s Port." Only 1,318 bottles of the expression have been made available. “The Dalmore 30 Year Old 2021 Edition is the result of our shared patience and dedication to craftsmanship over more than 180 years, creating an exceptional single malt which is divinely decadent with every drop," Glass added. On the nose, the single malt presents sweet aromas of freshly baked brioche and candied orange, opening up to a palate of black forest fruits derived from the Port pipes. The finish gives way to aromas of vanilla pod, Napoleon cake and shaved almonds. Charles Symington, head winemaker for Graham’s, said: “It’s wonderful to see this series come to life with the launch of The Dalmore 30 Year Old. "Our rare 30 Year Old Tawny Port is an exceptional liquid that we are tremendously proud of and its complex palate works beautifully with The Dalmore’s whisky to create something truly special.” The bottling comes in a framed case. Sitting at an ABV of 42.8%,  The Dalmore 30 Year Old 2021 Edition is available exclusively from Harrods in the UK for RRP £4,500 (US$6,126).