Brummell Blog: Richard Paterson

Richard Paterson has been a master blender and distiller of whisky for more than 40 years. Here he talks about his passion for whisky...

Richard Paterson, The Dalmore master blenderI am passionate about many things, but closest to my heart is whisky. I am a third-generation master distiller, following in my father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than when I create a new whisky that people cherish.

In 2007, I began working on a new range of whiskies from our Dalmore distillery in Alness, near Inverness. Over the years we have brought out new aged whiskies and whiskies with new finishes, and have revelled in creating some of the oldest and rarest whisky releases the world has ever seen. 

The Dalmore distllery in AlnessIn 2010 we released the Dalmore Trinitas, three bottles of 64-year-old whisky that contained some of the world’s oldest whisky stocks. Two bottles were quickly snapped up by collectors, and the third sold in Harrods in August for £120,000. At the time it became the first whisky to break the £100,000 barrier and was the most expensive in the world – until September, when an unnamed businessman bought the only remaining bottle of our 62-year-old at Changi Airport in Singapore for £125,000, firmly cementing The Dalmore’s position among the most covetable and collectable whiskies.

The Dalmore 1263 King Alexander III

While the trend of buying whisky as an investment is getting stronger, we also see consumer demand growing for whiskies with special finishes that enhance the flavour profile and create complexity within the spirit. One such is the Dalmore 1263 King Alexander III, the only whisky in the world that has six different wood finishes. Bourbon, Oloroso sherry, Madeira, port pipes, Marsala barrels and Cabernet Sauvignon barriques each impart their own flavour on to the whisky and the skill of the distiller is to work with each finish and bring them together in a perfect union so that no one flavour dominates – a harmonious fusion, if you like.

This harmonious fusion also connects the 13 men and women who work at our distillery to create this revered malt. Our home is just shy of Inverness in a small village called Alness – here the magic happens and our wonderful whisky is created. We have just opened a new visitor experience which guides you through a sensory journey – complete with sounds, sights and smells – giving guests a rare insight into the skills, craftsmanship and expertise that go into making malt. Guests also get the chance to sample our rich collection of whiskies in our Alchemy Room, and for a short time they may just be lucky enough to try our new Distillery Exclusive bottle, a limited release brought out to celebrate the launch of the new visitor facility.

Dalmore 1263 King Alexander III is available from all good whisky specialists priced at £150

Dalmore Distillery Exclusive is only available to purchase directly from the distillery, priced at £150

thedalmore.com