The Dalmore Distillery Select 2026 - A Single Malt of Remarkable Individuality

The Dalmore Distillery Select 2026 is the latest expression to join the Distillery Select Series, a collection of small, limited parcels of exceptional Highland Single Malt, selected from our famed dunnage warehouses for their rarity of character.

Finished in casks from some of the world’s finest wineries and bodegas, these hidden gems have been hand-selected by our whisky makers and bottled to reveal how different casks can complement, enhance or contrast with an element of The Dalmore’s signature house style.

For the Distillery Select 2026 edition, our whisky makers uncovered a truly exceptional parcel of whisky, finished in Semisecco Marsala wine barriques.

Twice yearly, our whisky makers assess maturing stock, seeking casks that display a superior depth of character. Once identified, these casks are hand nurtured to the exact moment of reaching their peak potential. Earlier this year, a parcel of Marsala-enriched whisky revealed something distinctive - a remarkable individuality that had to be bottled.

For nearly twenty years, Marsala has played a supporting role within The Dalmore portfolio, most notably as one of the six cask influences that shape The Dalmore King Alexander III.

“Over time, the rich and indulgent character of the Semisecco Marsala harmonised beautifully with The Dalmore spirit." explains The Dalmore Master Blender Dr Kirstie McCallum, "Carefully selected and closely nurtured throughout their maturation, the casks delivered an exceptional balance of flavours. The result is a whisky unmistakably from The Dalmore, with its hallmark citrus notes deepening into sweet clementine, accompanied by rich toffee, gentle nuttiness, and soft, pastry-inspired spices.”

Our whisky makers chose to bottle this parcel as a standalone expression for the Distillery Select Series, celebrating the exceptional character that emerges when an extraordinary cask is destined to shine on its own terms.

“After a year in the Semisecco Marsala casks, we could sense the character beginning to emerge, particularly notes of sweet citrus and brioche, but the whisky had not reached the balance we were looking for,” says Dr Kirstie McCallum, The Dalmore Master Blender.

“From that point, we monitored the cask even more closely, and within a few months, everything came together. The influence of the Marsala was clear, but the character of The Dalmore remained at the heart of the whisky.”

Aged 14 Years, Distillery Select 2026 began its maturation story in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels for twelve years, before a finish in Semisecco Marsala wine barriques until the whisky had reached its defining moment. The decision on when to bottle wasn't dictated by age - it was about recognising the exact moment when the balance between cask influence and The Dalmore’s signature style had reached its full potential. 

“The process is guided more by judgement than by a formula,” says Craig Swindell, Global Specialist for The Dalmore. “Time is important, one of our whisky makers' key skills is recognising the point when the cask has brought the desired complexity and balance, while allowing the character of The Dalmore to remain clear.”

Within Distillery Select 2026, the Marsala enhances the whisky, lifting the citrus dimension and bringing sweet clementine, a honeyed character and warming spice notes to the forefront while remaining unmistakable in its signature character.

Limited to just 1,110 bottles, Distillery Select 2026 (ABV 53.7%) is a 14-year-old Highland Single Malt, natural in colour and non-chill filtered, revealing remarkable depth, elegance and complexity.

The nose opens with floral aromas layered with sweet clementine, stone fruits, and honeyed malt. On the palate, candied orange peel, sweet pear, and buttery toffee unfold before a long finish of sweet citrus and rich oak, fading into a memory of festive spice.

“The Marsala brings a golden, honeyed warmth to The Dalmore Distillery Select 2026, lifting the sweet clementine and candied orange so the citrus seems to glow,” says Craig. “Beneath that brightness is a clear structure, giving the whisky definition and holding everything in balance.”