Introducing The Dalmore’s Madeira Cask Partner - Blandy’s Wine Lodge

Under the sunlit skies of the mid-Atlantic Ocean lies the island of Madeira, part of a small archipelago one thousand kilometres southwest of mainland Portugal. With its warm subtropical climate, mountainous landscape and rich volcanic soils, the island is world-renowned for its distinct grape varieties and centuries-old Madeira winemaking tradition.

It is here that our exclusive Madeira cask partner, Blandy’s, cultivates vineyards at Quinta de Bispo in São Jorge on the island’s north coast and Quinta de Santa Luzia in the south. Across a landscape shaped by Atlantic trade winds, vines flourish on steep terraced plots nourished by mountain water carried through Madeira’s ancient network of irrigation channels, known as levadas.

For more than two centuries, Blandy’s has been at the heart of Madeira’s winemaking tradition. Working alongside an island-wide network of growers, it endeavours to preserve the unique heritage of this singular fortified wine style, with its layered notes of dried fruits, caramelised sugars and gentle spice.

Madeira wine is defined as much by its noble grape varieties - Terrantez, Sercial, Bual and Malvasia - as by centuries of maritime heritage. From the 16th century, as the island became a vital port along major trade routes, its wines travelled the world aboard merchant ships, where repeated exposure to heat and oxygen helped shape their rich, distinctive style.

In July 1808, 24-year-old John Blandy left Bristol for Madeira to work for the established wine merchant, Cossart Gordon & Co. There he developed a deep understanding of Madeira wine, and just three years later, in 1811, he founded Blandy’s with his brothers Thomas and George to begin exporting Madeira wine around the world.

Today, Blandy’s is recognised as Madeira’s foremost wine producer, crafting wines celebrated for their remarkable depth, freshness, and longevity. Now in its seventh generation of family ownership, it remains the only Madeira wine house to have been continuously owned and managed by the family of its founder.

Under the guidance of CEO Chris Blandy and Master Wine Maker Francisco Albuquerque, Blandy’s continues to ensure its place among the most respected Madeira wines in the world, preserving a legacy more than two centuries in the making.

“At Blandy’s, we strive to balance heritage with a spirit of innovation in every wine we create. As a family-owned company, we are proud to uphold traditions that have defined Madeira for generations while continuing to evolve. Our partnership with The Dalmore reflects our shared commitment to tradition, quality and innovation,” says Francisco.

Located in Funchal, Blandy’s Wine Lodge has stood at the centre of the family’s wine business since its establishment in 1824. Housed within a collection of historic buildings, some dating back to the 16th century, the lodge was originally acquired by John Blandy and expanded over subsequent generations.

Designed around the natural rhythms of Madeira’s climate, the lodge extends from thick stone-walled cool cellars below ground to warm attic spaces beneath the roofs. Each floor possesses its own distinct microclimate, creating a natural gradient of temperature and humidity that gently shapes the wine’s maturation.

Here, American oak casks are partially filled and gradually moved between floors, allowing gentle exposure to warmth and oxygen over many decades. In the sun-warmed lofts, the wines may rest for up to five years before returning to the cooler cellars below to continue their maturation.

This slow, natural process, known as the canteiro method, develops layers of flavour and aromatic complexity, while preserving the wine’s signature freshness and structure.

For The Dalmore, our defining hallmark lies in the art of multi-cask maturation, as our spirit is enriched in rare and exquisite casks, made possible through our enduring relationships with prestigious bodegas and wineries around the world.

Our spirit begins its journey in American white oak Bourbon barrels, where it develops a foundational base of soft vanilla and honey flavour notes. It is then carefully transferred for a time into these rare casks, each chosen to enhance, contrast or complement an element of The Dalmore’s signature chocolate, citrus and warm spice character.

For The Madeira  Wine Cask Edition, The Dalmore has partnered with Blandy’s Wine Lodge to explore three of Madeira’s most distinctive and traditional wine styles.

The Dalmore Master Blender, Dr. Kirstie McCallum, alongside Francisco Albuquerque, carefully selected three exceptionally rare Madeira pipes - Terrantez, Bual and Malvasia - from Blandy’s 200-year-old lodge. Having matured Madeira wine for up to 80 years using the traditional canteiro method, each cask imparts layers of extraordinary depth and character.

“The Madeira Wine Cask Edition has been a journey of discovery for the team,” says Dr. Kirstie. “Identifying the moment when whisky, wine, and oak come into perfect harmony is what makes this process so rewarding.”

The Madeira Wine Cask Edition comprises three exquisite and exceptionally rare Single Malts, aged for 30, 34 and 45 years, each finished in a different Madeira wine style.

Terrantez, one of the world’s rarest grape varieties, brings a vibrant citrus lift and aromatic spice, Bual contributes warmth and layered complexity, and Malvasia deepens with a profound richness and texture. Together, these casks reveal the remarkable influence of Madeira wine, creating the ultimate Madeira finish.

Comprising three decanter-style bottles, the set is presented in a bespoke case crafted in Italy by renowned Italian luggage artisans AB Florence. Inspired by the spirit of travel, the case features custom-designed hardware, handle and luggage tag, and is finished in warm ochre Saffiano leather - paying homage to the golden hues of of Madeira’s sunlit landscapes and the rich vibrancy of the Malvasia, Bual and Terrantez grapes as they ripen of the vine.

Finished in extremely rare Terrantez casks for eight months, this elegant expression offers a delicate aroma of orange blossom and citrus zest with hints of hazelnuts and exotic spice on the nose. The palate reveals notes of stone fruit, caramelised orange peel, toasted walnuts and a subtle minerality, before dried apricot, caramel, sweet oak and allspice on the finish.

“A unique expression of The Dalmore bringing to the fore the sweet citrus and nutty notes of the core spirit balanced with an exotic spice. A truly aromatic and complex whisky, with so many layers to explore.” Dr. Kirstie McCallum

Finished in Bual casks for eight months, this rich and warm expression opens with an aroma of dried fig, stone fruit, vanilla toffee and hints of cardamom. On the palate, Seville orange, peach, Manuka honey and nutmeg unfold before notes of dried fruits, toffee, sweet oak and patisserie spices on the finish.

“Seductive and enticing with layers of dried fruit, honey, exotic woods, and warming spices. A sensory experience evoking travel to distant shores.” Dr. Kirstie McCallum

The most mature whisky in the collection, this exquisite expression, nurtured in Malvasia pipes for three months, shines with an enticing aroma of dates and stewed fruit, layered with toffee, and stem ginger. On the palate, notes of golden syrup, dried fruits, chocolate orange and walnut await before a finish of spiced orange, toffee, sweet malt, and crystalised ginger.

“This aged expression shines with bold dried fruit, spiced orange, dark chocolate, toffee, and a hint of liquorice. Passionately nurtured through to finishing, the result is an inspiring balance between the aged sweet Malvasia and rich 45 Year Old Dalmore. A true expression of whisky making artistry.” Dr. Kirstie McCallum

Limited to 150 sets worldwide, The Madeira Wine Cask Edition presents a rare opportunity to experience the pinnacle of cask curation in a partnership between one of the oldest families of winemakers in Madeira and the visionary whisky makers of The Dalmore.

The Dalmore Cask Curation Series: The Madeira Wine Cask Edition is available to buy now.