A Focus on Red Wine Cask Maturation

Complex multi-cask maturation is central to the art of whisky making at The Dalmore. First initiated by the Mackenzie brothers in 1868, the legacy has continued to this day through an unbroken chain of visionary whisky makers. 

Red wine finishing was first adopted by The Dalmore more than 30 years ago and over the last few decades we have perfected the art while building partnerships with the finest wineries and estates from all over the world.

In the mid-1990s, Richard Paterson OBE, The Dalmore’s Master Distiller, with the Mackenzie brothers’ legacy in mind and inspired by his own passion for exceptional reds, began to experiment with red wine cask finishing. 

This relatively new concept came at a time when many other whisky distilleries were just starting to experiment with Sherry cask finishing – something The Dalmore distillery had been doing successfully for more than a century.

The result proved to be groundbreaking. A period of time in red wine casks creates exceptionally unique texture, aroma and flavour profiles - enhancing The Dalmore’s signature house style with notes of stone fruits, red berries and earthy undertones.

Richard has continued to evolve this concept, curating relationships with our exclusive cask partners and building deeper connections with wineries, including California’s Sonoma and Napa Valleys and renowned estates throughout France and Europe.

The exquisite wine casks sourced from each of these regions work to enhance, contrast or complement our whisky, adding their own unique attributes, distinct character and nuance.

A masterpiece celebrating both The Dalmore’s history and philosophy on multi-cask maturation. The Dalmore King Alexander III is a one-of-a-kind Single Malt inspired by the legend of Colin of Kintail as he saved King Alexander III from the fury of a rampaging stag. This heroic deed rewarded his clan – The Mackenzies – the right to bear the 12-point Royal Stag emblem on their crest.

The world’s first Single Malt made using six cask finishes: small batch Bourbon, Madeira, Marsala, Oloroso Sherry, Port and Cabernet Sauvignon, the result is an exquisite expression brimming with notes of red berries, vanilla and nutmeg.

Designed for those who appreciate balance and depth, The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve is matured in Bourbon, 30-year-old Matusalem Sherry, and Cabernet Sauvignon casks – the red wine casks introduce tannins that contrast its natural sweetness of toffee and vanilla ice cream with earthy, spiced notes.

This expression is bold yet refined and makes the perfect pairing for a fine cigar but is just as rewarding when savoured on its own.

Distilled in 2007 and aged in American ex-Bourbon barrels for 17 years, our Distillery Select 2007 Amarone & Port Cask Finishes was finished in a fascinating duo of Port and Italian red wine casks. 

Described by our whisky makers as a ‘portrait of beauty’, this exemplary, limited edition expression reveals notes of forest fruits and vanilla, overlayed with dark, velvety richness. Bottled at 45.8% ABV, it is natural in colour and is non-chill filtered.

Described by our whisky makers as a ‘portrait of beauty’, this exemplary, limited edition expression reveals notes of forest fruits and vanilla, overlayed with dark, velvety richness. Bottled at 45.8% ABV, it is natural in colour and is non-chill filtered.

Using some of the rarest casks available, The Dalmore 45 – bottled at 40% ABV – underwent a complex maturation journey: first in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels, then Cabernet Sauvignon red wine barriques, returning briefly to Bourbon, and later to Tawny Port pipes.

Finally, this precious spirit was married with whiskies matured in American white oak and select Colheita Port pipes, creating a rich palate layered with succulent figs, toffee apple and ripe bananas.

Aged 17 years, Luminary No.3 2025 Edition is a celebration of The Dalmore’s multi-cask maturation expertise, made in collaboration with V&A Dundee.

It’s finished in a bold combination of seven cask types including both vintage and aged Calvados, rare Matusalem Sherry, rare Apostoles Sherry, fully matured American white oak and select red wine casks from the Bordeaux and Châteauneuf-du-Pape regions.

Bottled at 49.2% ABV, this limited edition expression reveals notes of rich butterscotch, tarte tatin, and red apples.

A collection of three whiskies presented thoughtfully interpreted by a chosen creative in collaboration with V&A Dundee.

Made from three rare parcels of exquisite red wine cask-finished whiskies, the series comprises: No.1, a Bordeaux Wine Cask Finish (46.8% ABV) with notes of rich vanilla, and ripe fruit; No.2, a Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine Cask Finish (46% ABV) with notes of crushed almonds and fresh ginger, and No.3, Select Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish (49.7% ABV) with notes of blackcurrant and dark cocoa. All are natural in colour and non-chill filtered.

The Portfolio Series is available to buy in travel retail outlets around the world.

A collection of three exquisite Single Malt whiskies finished in fresh, hand-selected 2023 Château Mont‑Redon red wine casks from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region of France.

The Cask Curation Series: The Red Wine Cask Edition – Aged 24, Aged 34, and Aged 43 Years - perfectly exemplifies how the same red wine casks can impact whiskies of differing ages, imparting stone fruit, red berries and earthy notes to enhance The Dalmore’s signature house style.

Matured in American white oak barrels for 13 years before a two-year finish in Cabernet Sauvignon barriques from one of the world’s most treasured Medoc wine estates, the Distillery Select 2025 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish is a true gem.

Patiently nurtured by our Master Whisky Makers, this exquisite Single Malt is limited to just 1002 bottles and brims with notes of warm citrus and black toffee on the nose, chocolate mocha and poached peach on the palate, and surprisingly tropical fruit notes on the finish.

Made to celebrate Richard’s 50th year in the industry, The Dalmore Quintessence showcases the creative vision that sets The Dalmore apart. Following a painstaking search across the vineyards of California, Richard hand-selected five different red wine casks – Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

After an initial maturation in American white oak, the whisky was split between these five exquisite casks and rested for a further five years, before being carefully married back together. Opening with notes of tropical fruit, ginger and sun-dried raisins unfolding into a lingering finish of orange and baked banana, this expression stands as a masterpiece of whisky making.