Dalmore launches Portfolio Series

Scotch brand The Dalmore has partnered with design museum V&A Dundee on a new whisky series for global travel retail (GTR), which celebrates young Scottish artists.

The first instalment of The Portfolio Series comprises a trio of single malt bottlings and is the brand's latest initiative with the museum. The series is designed to bring together the country’s emerging artists with its expert Scotch makers. Fraser Gray, who grew up in Edinburgh, was chosen for this year’s edition, with his artwork interpreting Dalmore’s highland distillery. The series is available exclusively with Avolta and made its debut in Heathrow earlier this month. It will be available in global duty free stores in international airports from October. Paul Martin, Avolta’s category manager for liquor in the UK, said: “We were extremely proud to be able to offer this exceptional Dalmore Portfolio Series in our Heathrow World Duty Free stores, as a one-month exclusive in GTR, ahead of its rollout across the sector. “We’re always looking for innovative and unique products for our customers and it’s exciting to be able to offer such exceptional whiskies such as these. The creative partnership between The Dalmore and the V&A Dundee, showcasing the work of talented local Scottish artists, takes this collection of whiskies to another level, while delivering that all-important sense of heritage and place.” Portfolio Series No 1 (46.8% ABV) has notes of lemon drizzle cake, Manuka honey and rich vanilla, and was matured in Bordeaux wine casks. The whisky is limited to 5,000 bottles and retails for £500 (US$635). Portfolio Series No 2 (46% ABV) is made from a recipe created by The Dalmore’s master whisky makers and finished in casks from Châteauneuf-du-Pape in France. It has notes of pink grapefruit, ginger and vanilla on the nose, and a palate of crushed almonds, sultanas and liquorice. Its finish is said to consist of poached pear and cranberries. Limited to 2,000 bottles, it retails for £750 (US$950). Lastly, Portfolio Series No.3, limited to 1,000 bottles, has a profile of rich forest fruits, cedar wood, dark cacao and bergamot. The Dalmore was granted access to an 'iconic vineyard' classified as Premier Grand Cru to finish the whisky. It retails for £1,000 (US$1,250). Joanne Morris, Whyte & Mackay’s commercial controller, added: “The Dalmore is enjoying continued consumer demand, especially in GTR. We are particularly proud to unveil this exceptional trio of whiskies, with the beautiful creativity of Fraser Gray. “The partnership with Avolta and London Heathrow is of strategic importance to us, as we seek to push the boundaries of the channel. The Dalmore Portfolio Series is set to offer global travellers another truly memorable experience, for which The Dalmore has become known.” Dalmore has a four-year partnership with V&A Dundee, with the two most recently collaborating on the second chapter of the Luminary Series. The brand also recently revealed another whisky series, The Distillery Select, which celebrated its Highland home.