The Making of The Dalmore Portfolio Series 2026 - Introducing Artist, KMG

The Portfolio Series 2026 marks the third and final release in The Dalmore Portfolio Series, an annual three-part collection of Highland Single Malt Scotch whiskies finished in hand-selected Bordeaux casks from some of the region’s most revered Chateaux vineyards.

Expertly curated by The Dalmore’s whisky makers, these red wine cask-finished whiskies are thoughtfully interpreted through the creative vision of a chosen artist in collaboration with V&A Dundee to create a trilogy of specially commissioned artworks for the packaging.

For The Portfolio Series 2026, we have partnered with Scottish street and mural artist, KMG.

Aberdeen-born artist KMG is renowned for her character-based outdoor murals, defined by bold lines and vibrant, playful figures. Drawing on Celtic folklore, oral storytelling and cultural memory, her work explores themes of identity, culture, and heritage, blending tradition with contemporary expression.

Rooted in activism, KMG’s artistic journey began in the early 2000s after witnessing the experiences of marginalised communities affected by shifting social agendas. Initially designing colourful and impactful stickers and stencils to raise awareness, she soon turned to a deeper exploration of expression through graffiti and street art.

Now based in Edinburgh, KMG undertakes commissioned art installations and murals, which can be found in a number of public spaces, including Aberdeen Airport. She is a passionate advocate for the power and accessibility of art, regularly collaborating with community groups, healthcare organisations and educational institutions.

To find inspiration for the design of The Portfolio Series 2026, KMG visited The Dalmore distillery in the Highlands of Scotland, an area close to her heart and deeply familiar from early childhood visits to her grandparents, who lived in nearby Dornoch.

“When I arrived at The Dalmore distillery and looked around, it became immediately obvious to me that the designs should be inspired by the landscape,” says KMG. “That area is incredibly beautiful and lends itself well to the concept I had in mind.”

KMG began by capturing images of the area around the distillery and shoreline of the Cromarty Firth. Drawing on these natural forms, she sketched her designs, cut them out and assembled them into layered collages, building depth and composition. “It was a very similar process to how I create my murals,” she says.

Due to having a distinctly minimalist style, KMG has a precise and considered approach to the use of colour. “Colour is a really important part of my process; it can make or break the visual output, so I spend a lot of time experimenting with it and making small adjustments.”

For The Portfolio Series 2026, the colours for the designs - vermilion, coral, brown, green and yellow - were chosen in response to the flavours of the three red wine cask finishes, creating a visual connection between them. “I considered how the flavours within the whisky - raisin, fresh ginger, vanilla, blackcurrant and dark cocoa notes - would translate visually and then formed the basis for the colours from there,” she says.

The final designs for the trilogy were grounded in the flora and fauna of The Highlands. “Every single element within the artwork comes from the landscape around the distillery - the flowers, plants and seaweed,” she says.

For KMG, the collaboration marked a rare departure from large-scale murals. Instead, it offered the opportunity to create something more tactile and intimate - art that can be held in the hand or displayed at home, bringing a new sense of permanence and personal connection to her work.

“I’m excited to hear how people from different cultures and communities interpret and respond to it.” she says. “Being given an opportunity to really explore the area around the distillery and develop my own response to it - I think for me, that's been the most special part.”

For The Portfolio Series, our whisky makers chose three parcels of exquisite Bordeaux red wine cask-finished whiskies to be released annually with every collection, each a true masterpiece of Single Malt. All are natural in colour and non-chill filtered.

The series comprises: No.1, a Bordeaux Wine Cask Finish with notes of rich vanilla, citrus and ripe fruit; No.2, a Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine Cask Finish, with notes of crushed almonds, sweet sultanas and fresh ginger, and No.3, the pinnacle of the collection, Select Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish, with notes of blackcurrant, baked apples and warm, dark cocoa.

Since 2020, The Dalmore and V&A Dundee have worked in collaboration to celebrate excellence in design and artistry. The partnership marks a long term investment in V&A Dundee and the design sector, with the aim of supporting Scottish talent, improving design education and promoting the value of design to Scotland.

For the inaugural release in the series, the award-winning The Portfolio Series 2024, The Dalmore partnered with Edinburgh-based Fraser Gray, a large-scale street artist. Fraser’s work was inspired by the architecture of The Dalmore distillery buildings, exploring the forms from multiple perspectives.

For The Portfolio Series 2025, The Dalmore partnered with graphic artist Gabriella Marcella, owner and Design Director of RISOTTO, Scotland’s leading risograph print and design studio, to create packaging inspired by the heritage of The Dalmore, specifically the intricate patterns and thread count of the Mackenzie tartan.

The Portfolio Series 2026 is available to purchase at worldwide travel retail boutiques and in limited quantity at V&A Dundee.