The Dalmore 1973, Cask # 8 – A Masterpiece in the Making

A truly unique and rare opportunity to acquire the output of a vintage cask of 1973 The Dalmore still lying at the distillery. The winning bidder will have the opportunity to be part of curating the final chapter in the ageing process of this masterpiece, flying to Scotland and working directly with a member of The Dalmore Master Distilling team. A guaranteed 150 70cl bottles will be available in The Dalmore’s iconic “Candela” decanter that can be personalized, provided instruction to bottle is received by 30^th September 2020.

The output from The Dalmore Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 1973 Cask #8 with a guaranteed volume of 150 70cl bottles, plus a maximum of 10 70cl sample bottles, provided that instruction to bottle is received by 30^th September 2020.

Estimated current strength is 42.6%.

The cask maturation journey has been as follows:
- filled into American white oak in 1973
- moved into a Matusalem sherry cask in 2008
- since 2015 resting in a bourbon barrel.

A maximum of 150 bottles will be presented in The Dalmore’s iconic crystal “Candela” decanters and packaged in luxury wooden boxes.

Of these, a minimum 90 bottles will be personalized with details specific to the buyer and will be for gifting and personal consumption and cannot be re-sold. Packaging can be personalized or swapped during “The Dalmore - A Masterpiece in the Making Experience” process (extra charges may apply), in accordance with the storage, bottling and delivery agreement between the winning bidder and Whyte & Mackay Ltd.

The remaining maximum of 60 bottles will be packaged with the standard The Dalmore branding and can be re-sold at a later date, subject to Whyte & Mackay Ltd’s prior permission, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

The sample bottles will be supplied in standard The Dalmore 70cl glass bottles.

The number of all the bottles supplied shall not exceed 160 70cl bottles. Any excess content of the Cask will be kept by The Dalmore for sensory and archive purposes.

The buyer shall have the opportunity to leave the content of the Cask to age until 31^st March 2023, at The Dalmore Distillery in a private client warehouse which the buyer can visit. The ageing process shall be carefully monitored and managed and prospective bidders acknowledge and accept that the spirit contained in the Cask may be subject to wastage and other normal losses arising from the maturation and production processes including (but not limited to) a decrease in the percentage alcohol by volume (ABV) of the spirit and/or the number of bottles available after the ageing process, and the bidders accept such risk. The time of bottling may be dictated by any reduction in the ABV of the spirit.

Whyte and Mackay Ltd will be responsible and will bear all costs of the onward shipping of the contents of the Cask once bottling has been agreed, subject to the storage, bottling and delivery agreement made between the buyer and Whyte & Mackay Ltd (the “W&M Agreement”). The buyer will be responsible for all local taxes and all other additional costs as detailed in the W&M Agreement.

The buyer of the Lot will be invited to the distillery for The Dalmore “Masterpiece in the Making Experience”, which includes:

- a trip of 2 days and 3 nights for buyer and one companion to The Dalmore distillery in Scotland;
- a private consultation and tasting session with Richard Paterson (The Dalmore Master Distiller), or another member of Master Distilling team if Richard Paterson is not available, who will work with the buyer to finish the masterpiece in terms of bottling timing and packaging;
- return business / first class flights (where available) from international airport nearest to the buyer’s residence to Scotland; and
- stay and luxurious Scottish hospitality and ability to sample other outdoor pursuits fitting that time of year.

This Experience is non-saleable.

As a precondition to being permitted to bid in the auction, all bidders must sign the W&M Agreement, the terms of which are non-negotiable. The terms of the W&M Agreement shall be made available by Sotheby’s to prospective bidders prior to bidding.

The Dalmore’s heritage dates to 1263. It was in this year that Colin of Kintail, Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, saved King Alexander III from the fury of a charging stag. In recognition of this noble act the King granted the Mackenzie Clan the right to use the 12-pointed Royal stag emblem on their coat of arms.

When descendants of the Clan became owners of The Dalmore distillery in 1867, the Royal Stag became the recognisable icon that proudly adorns each bottle of The Dalmore today; an emblem of exceptional whisky making.

For 180 years The Dalmore has creating exceptional Single Malt Whiskies, pushing the boundaries of whisky making. For three generations, the distillery was led by the Mackenzie Clan, who were at the forefront of the art of whisky making. Under their stewardship, The Dalmore established longstanding, deep-rooted alliances with suppliers to source the finest casks, which today remain an integral part of the quality and depth of The Dalmore’s character.

The Dalmore is now led by esteemed Master Distiller Richard Paterson, the creative force behind the brand since 1970. A pioneer in the art of cask curation, Paterson’s passion and relentless pursuit for excellence has helped to strengthen The Dalmore’s reputation for curating and reuniting exceptional casks, most recently including the one-of-a-kind L’Anima, which was created in partnership with the famed Italian chef Massimo Bottura and was sold at Sotheby’s for £108,900. To this day, and now in his sixth decade at The Dalmore, Paterson continues to hand-select rare casks from the world’s finest bodega and wineries to mature the carefully composed sprit.

Creating whisky on the Shores of the Cromarty Firth since 1839, The Dalmore Distillery is located on a stunning stretch of Scottish coastline. Its traditional dunnage warehouses sit comfortably along the shores of the Cromarty Firth, the cool sea air making this Highland distillery the perfect place for whisky to enjoy extended periods of maturation, and allowing The Dalmore’s heavy spirit to take on a rich and luxurious character as it ages in in some of the most precious casks in the world.

Today the distillery is home to some of the rarest and most precious single malt in Scotland.

In honour of this rich history, The Dalmore is pleased to share a unique and rare opportunity to acquire a 1973 vintage cask, and play a part in curating the final chapter in the creation of this masterpiece, in hand with The Dalmore’s Master Distiller, Richard Paterson.