N※N

The Dalmore's Newest Limited-Edition Whiskies Were Aged in Red-Wine Barrels

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/16 .. tion-whiskies-were-aged-in-red-wine-barrels.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, October 16th 2025 at 21:22 GMT by Robb Report
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

300x168/8224 Bytes

229x220/6615 Bytes

299x168/5557 Bytes

Dalmore’s Red Wine Cask Curation Series: A Luxury of Flavor and History

Dalmore’s Cask Curation Series has long been a benchmark for whisky connoisseurs looking for something that pushes the boundaries of traditional malting and cask aging. The latest addition to this exclusive line, the Red Wine Cask Edition, has captured the attention of enthusiasts worldwide, combining the Scottish distillery’s renowned single malt with the sophisticated nuance of fine red wine. The announcement, detailed in Robb Report’s feature, highlights how this edition not only showcases Dalmore’s mastery over cask selection but also offers a sensory experience that is both unique and elegant.

The Distillery’s Vision

At the heart of the Red Wine Cask Edition lies a collaboration with a distinguished Spanish winery, Château de la Rioja. Dalmore’s master distiller, Mark MacLeod, explains that the idea came from a desire to pair the smoky, peaty characteristics of a highland malt with the fruity, tannic qualities of a mature red wine. “Our goal was to create a whisky that speaks to the palate of the modern drinker,” MacLeod says, “one that reflects both the terroir of the Scottish Highlands and the heritage of Spanish viticulture.”

The partnership was formalized through a joint cask selection process. Dalmore’s team traveled to the winery’s cellars to examine the oak used in their wine barrels. The barrels were then carefully chosen based on their size, age, and the specific red wine previously aged within them. These barrels, having imparted a subtle sweetness and robust tannic backbone to the wine, were subsequently repurposed for whisky maturation, providing a new layer of complexity to the spirit.

Maturation Process

The Red Wine Cask Edition is aged for eight years—longer than many of Dalmore’s other limited releases—within the Spanish wine casks. The whisky’s journey began with a 10-year-old Dalmore single malt, which was initially matured in American oak barrels. After the first six years, the spirit was transferred into the wine casks for the final two years of maturation. The result is a deeply layered whisky that marries the peat-driven character of the original malt with hints of ripe plum, dried cherries, and a touch of spiced oak.

The whisky is bottled at 43.5% ABV and presented in a 70ml bottle featuring a distinctive label that incorporates wine-inspired motifs. According to Dalmore’s product page (https://www.thedalmore.com/products/red-wine-cask-edition), the bottle also includes a small sachet of the same red wine used in the cask, allowing drinkers to enjoy the wine alongside the spirit if they wish.

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

On the nose, the Red Wine Cask Edition opens with an aromatic bouquet of dark fruit—think blackberry and blackcurrant—combined with subtle notes of dried fruit, tobacco leaf, and a faint echo of the wine’s oak. The palate is lush and velvety, with a pronounced sweetness balanced by the natural peatiness of the malt. The finish is long, featuring gentle tannins that leave a lingering impression of red berry and subtle spice. Many tasters have described the experience as akin to sipping a richly aged port, but with the distinctively bold character that only a Dalmore single malt can deliver.

Limited Release and Availability

The Red Wine Cask Edition is a highly limited release, with only 5,000 bottles produced worldwide. Each bottle is individually numbered and comes with a special certificate of authenticity. Dalmore’s official website provides detailed information on how to acquire the edition, including a list of authorized retailers and a pre-order link for those who wish to secure a bottle in advance.

In addition to the bottle itself, the release has generated buzz for its eco-conscious packaging. The bottles are made from recycled glass, and the packaging is printed on recycled paper, reflecting Dalmore’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Context within the Cask Curation Series

Dalmore’s Cask Curation Series has previously included the Port Cask and Sherry Cask editions, each of which received acclaim for their innovative use of cask finishes. The Red Wine Cask Edition follows this tradition, pushing the boundaries of what a whisky cask can convey. The series demonstrates Dalmore’s ability to take a single malt and transform it into an entirely new expression, guided by the terroir of the cask’s previous contents.

Conclusion

The Red Wine Cask Edition of Dalmore’s Cask Curation Series is a testament to the distillery’s unwavering dedication to innovation, quality, and collaboration. By blending the depth of a Scottish single malt with the elegance of a Spanish red wine, Dalmore has created a whisky that is both sophisticated and approachable. Whether enjoyed neat, with a splash of water, or paired with a glass of the wine itself, this limited edition offers an experience that is truly a celebration of the art of whisky-making and the science of cask aging.