Richard Paterson: Hi Greg! The launch of The Dalmore 50 YO was incredibly exciting. 2018 is a very special year for me and what better way to celebrate than by launching a whisky that is equally as special

The limited edition Dalmore 50 YO has been aged in American White Oak, Matuasalem oloroso Sherry casks from the Gonzalez Byass bodega and Colheita Port pipes from the Douro region of Portugal. I chose to finesse The Dalmore 50 YO in Henri Giraud Champagne casks for 50 days, a drink synonymous with celebrations.

By combining the Champagne together with Matusalem Oloroso Sherry and Port, this displays perhaps the greatest example to date of our ability to innovate in both maturation and cask finishing, while preserving the signature flavours of the Dalmore.

The Dalmore 50 YO has an ABV of 40% and comes in a crystal decanter made by French crystal house Baccarat, presented in made to order cases by furniture maker Linley. The finishing touch on each bottle is the signature The Dalmore 12-pointed Royal Stag, designed by silversmith Hamilton & Inches.

What has been the biggest change in whisky and the consumers you’re selling to in your time in command of The Dalmore?

We continue to see rare and exceptional whisky at auction. The continued demand from the Asian Markets is incredible, in China in particular, for The Dalmore.

Sorry to miss you at the IWSC judging panel this year, my schedule had me in NYC for a meeting, how was the panel, and were there any standout Whiskies? What was the quality of the entrants like?

The calibre of the entrants is fantastic, as it is every year. There are a number of distilleries producing excellent and occasionally surprising expressions.

What one thing would you, Richard Paterson, like to tell GreatDrammers about what’s new and exciting at The Dalmore?

In addition to The Dalmore 50 YO which launched earlier this year, we also celebrated the release of The Dalmore 45 – another exquisite whisky, which I can only describe as flawless perfection. 500 of the bottles will be available globally this year.

By personally selecting the very finest American White Oak ex-Bourbon casks and Port Colheita Pipes from 1961 and 1963, I have been able to create a truly unique expression which is indulgent and smooth with a vibrant and lively flavour profile. It takes time, dedication and passion to create an expression like The Dalmore 45 and age has gracefully matured this distinguished spirit to make it one of The Dalmore’s greatest aged spirits.

For the first time, The Dalmore, was the Official Scotch Whisky Partner at the 2018 The World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards, as part of a multi-year sponsorship deal.

A celebration of the innovation, technique and the sense of sensational occasion created by culinary talent at the forefront of their craft – The World’s Best Restaurant Awards was the perfect partner to our definitive Single Malt Whisky The Dalmore.

To mark the partnership, we tasked world-leading mixologists to create the most decedent and desirable digestif. A selection of elite barmen from across the globe entered the competition, from which Lorenzo Rocci, Head Bartender at The Lanesborough Library Bar was announced the winner. Lorenzo’s champion serve, ‘Don’t Call Me Deer (Dear)’, a nod to The Dalmore’s 12-pointed Royal Stag emblem.

And if you’re interested in the place our interview with Richard Paterson was conducted, here is a great article on more things to do in Bilbao.