Nurtured through six decades and packaged in six iconic bottles, The Dalmore Decades Number 6 sold at HK$ 8,750,000 in Hong Kong auction.
Dubbed as an ultra-rare collection of luxury single malt whiskies nurtured through six decades, “The Dalmore Decades Number 6” was recently auctioned off by Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
Consisting of six iconic bottles of the finest spirits and a book, the entire lot sold at a dizzying HK$8,750,000.
The event also coincided with the the unveiling of The Dalmore Decades. From one of the oldest liquids released by The Dalmore to the first Scotch created in the new millennium, The Dalmore Decades celebrates the visionary creators and stories behind each bottle.
Demonstrating the craftsmanship of The Dalmore’s whisky, each decanter tells a magnificent story of the Highland Single Malt maker’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
Pinnacle of whisky-making
A pioneer in the art of cask curation, The Dalmore master distiller Richard Paterson has been on a mission for nearly the last 50 years to push the boundaries in whisky production as he seeks to optimize potential over time. The Dalmore Decades is Paterson’s personal selection and a celebration of the exceptionally rare casks the distillery enjoys.
“Over the past 50 years, I have kept a watchful eye over our superlative inventory of rare whiskies, giving them the guidance to mature and reach their full potential in the finest casks sourced from around the world. This collection is a memento of our 180-year history in the making,” Paterson said.
A significant percentage of the sale would be donated to V&A Dundee in Scotland, the first of museum of its kind outside London.
This donation is in line with The Dalmore recently unveiled long-term commitment to the design and creative sectors via its four-year partnership with V&A Dundee. In a world-first collaboration, the fastest growing luxury single malt whisky is working with Scotland’s design museum to champion and nurture creative talent.
Meanwhile, the six-bottle Collection that was auctioned auctioned off to one lucky and presumably happy and proud bidder consists of:
The Dalmore Decades 1951 – ‘Royal Heritage’—As a 60-year-old single malt matured in twin sherry casks, one can expect to find whispers of black treacle, ginger spice and cocoa powder. The astonishing 1951 is one of the oldest whiskies ever released by The Dalmore, and the last of the whisky distilled during the Mackenzie era.
The Dalmore Decades 1967 – ‘Expertly Composed Spirit’—An impeccably elegant 53-year-old single malt, laid down in 1967, a landmark year in which the stillhouse as it stands today, was created. This single malt provides complex, but wonderfully intriguing layers of clementine, tangy ground coffee and muscovado, thanks to its final maturation in a Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine barrique.
The Dalmore Decades 1979 – ‘Curating Exquisite Casks’—This 40-year-old single malt is a tribute to the longstanding relationship between González Byass and The Dalmore. The 1979 has enjoyed maturation in a particularly fine Matusalem Oloroso sherry before undergoing final maturation in a Graham’s Port Vintage 1952.
The resulting whisky is redolent with hints of sultanas and toasted pistachios, finishing in pleasant notes of maple syrup, pineapple, and succulent dates.
The Dalmore Decades 1980 – ‘Unbroken Chain of Visionaries’—The 1980s marked Paterson’s arrival at The Dalmore and his tutelage by the last Mackenzie. Like his predecessor, Richard’s long-standing tenure personifies a commitment to the vision of the distillery established 180 years ago.
The 1980 promises beautifully orchestrated single malt layers, which include a gentle whisper of bitter chocolate, marzipan and cocoa powder.
The Dalmore Decades 1995 – ‘The Creation of an Icon’—The ’90s welcomed the creation of an icon, which is The Dalmore’s minimalist bell-shaped bottle. Its sinuous curves echoes the voluptuous shape of the stills through which the distillery’s matchless spirit runs.
The 1995 is matured in ex-Bourbon casks and finished in spectacular Tintilla de Rota port pipes. It offers a burst of red berries, glazed nectarines, frangipane and moist pecan pie on the palate, building to a triumphal finish.
The Dalmore Decades 2000 – ‘Into the New Millennium’ —At 12:02 a.m. on Saturday, January 1, 2000, as the world celebrated the dawn of a new millennium, workers at The Dalmore were at their posts securing a notable achievement for the Highland distillery: the first in Scotland to run new spirits off the stills in the third millennium.
The final whisky of The Dalmore Decades is also perhaps the most distinctive. For one, it has spent all 20 years of its life in a Matusalem Oloroso sherry butt, which is a radical departure from the distillery’s practice.
Rare black maraschino cherry and bitter chocolate drench the palate, while hints of licorice and tarte Tatin slowly fades in the background. While it took 20 years to craft this unique spirit, its exceptional quality can be recognized in a matter of seconds.
