Dalmore Quintessence is the first and only single malt whisky to undergo a five-grape-variety red wine cask finish. Master blender Richard Paterson — marking fifty years in the industry — hand-selected casks of Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Californian vineyards, then split the bourbon-matured Dalmore between all five.
The five-wine concept is characteristically ambitious from Paterson. Each grape variety contributes a distinct dimension: Zinfandel brings soft cassis, Pinot Noir adds crushed blackcurrants and black cherries, Syrah offers cranberries and raspberries, Merlot contributes warming Black Forest fruits, and Cabernet Sauvignon provides a cedar backbone with Morello cherries and sweet plums. The combination creates a finishing influence of unusual breadth.
Dalmore Quintessence is a wine-lover's whisky — a spirit that bridges Scotch and California wine with genuine ambition. The five-year finishing period in the wine casks allows genuine integration, and the 45% bottling strength preserves the wine influence without the heat of cask strength. Richard Paterson's fiftieth-anniversary creation, and a fitting tribute to a career built on adventurous wood management.
