The Dalmore distillery reopens after 5 years - is this Scottish whisky tour unique?
The Highland distillery never reopened after lockdown, but is now ready to accept visitors after a refurbishment and extension. Rosalind Erskine visited ahead of its reopening to find out what visitors can expect from this new chapter for The Dalmore.
Whisky and storytelling have gone hand in hand for years. The myth, history and characters behind each brand name; the sense of place and how it imparts on the liquid; the romanticism of the spirit. It’s all part of the package, and why so many people fall in love with our national drink. One of the best ways to soak up all of this is by visiting a distillery, to see and try the whisky in the place that it is made. The sheer beauty of the landscape and nature that surrounds a lot of our distilleries in Scotland is also part of the alchemy that brings the experience to life.
It’s no wonder then that whisky tourism is still a huge driver for the economy, with 2.7m visits to Scotch Whisky Visitor Centres in 2024 according to the Scotch Whisky Association data. Combined, Scotch Whisky Visitor Centres are again the most visited attraction in Scotland and Scotch Whisky visitor spend has more than doubled in the past 10 years.
Therefore when a big name brand closes its home, and keeps it closed for years, it’s a big deal for fans when it reopens, which is what has happened at Highland whisky The Dalmore. Closed for five years, starting from Covid restrictions, the distillery remained closed as it underwent a renovation and extension to increase production. Resisting the temptation to rebuild something brand new elsewhere on the estate, the works have been sympathetic to the old buildings, with a new, metallic-clad stillhouse one of the most eye-catching additions. This means there’s still that old world charm you’d expect from a brand that’s been going since 1839.
Honouring The Dalmore’s ongoing collaboration with the V&A in Dundee, artwork, creative elements and collections of books are dotted about the distillery tour. But it’s not just these curated additions or the new building that makes this a unique offering. The entire tour is entirely private and bespoke. With only two tours a day, for up to eight people - all from the same private party, so friends, family or colleagues - what you drink, see and experience can all be tailored to tastes and preferences via a concierge service.
Tours can be three to four hours, and if that time is spent just in the stillroom sampling new make spirit - and what a still room it is with four sets of stills and a beautiful floor to ceiling stained glass window that gives the space an almost cathedral-like feel - then that’s what will be arranged.
Craig Swindell, global specialist for The Dalmore, explained the offering during our tour with him. He said: “They are private tours. There won’t be a stranger on your tour. You guide us on what you want to see in your time here.”
This might seem like it’s only for diehard whisky fans, but bookings have come in thick and fast and this isn’t necessarily the case, as Mr Swindell said: “There are some people for whom, maybe we’re the only whisky they drink or they drink us, Macallan and Balvenie but they trust that if there’s a 12 pointed royal stag on the bottle (The Dalmore logo) - whether they’re enjoying it, sharing it or gifting it - then it’s going to be great. Enquires have been ‘we’re not really bothered about the tour we’re more interested in eating there, is there a dining option? Or ‘can we have cocktails’ and the answer now is yes you can now come for cocktails and food if that’s more the ‘tour’ that you want.
“For example if you’re coming and some of your group love champagne then we’ll arrange for champagne to be served. If you want to spend time on the terrace overlooking the Cromarty Firth, you can. We’ll guide you through the usual production spaces but we won’t be hanging around.”
This complete bespoke nature of the experience available is, to my mind, something totally unique in Scotland right now. It’s akin to a Michelin Star restaurant offering, as is the price, which is £250 per person. Guests are essentially being treated as if they’re a private client of The Damore. And, given how many tours are already booked and paid for in advance, the team knows exactly the numbers to expect through the door - much like the advance booking systems of some high end restaurants.
Mr Swindell agreed, saying: “I think offering this kind of experience - one of home advocacy - means you’ll fall in love with the brand and you’ll buy more in the shop.
“I know it’s a splurge. It’s like going to a Michelin Star restaurant at £250. To run it, it’s not cheap but it is about the lifetime experience. It’s also a chance to taste those older and rarer whiskies for a good price. I’ve been very dynamic in reducing the margins to almost zero on the 30s, 40s and 45 year old whiskies.”
The cost and small number of tours available has undoubtedly made seeing the distillery inaccessible for some, but the team are keen to offer a warm welcome from the minute the guests who have booked arrive. “We want to welcome you; you’re coming to our home and spending time with us. We want people to leave with a lasting impression,” said Mr Swindell who said he once had to show his passport to visit a big Scotch distillery. For those not booked in, the pier is still open for walking and Dalmore Farm offers whisky tastings, in collaboration with the distillery.
While on our visit, we had a wonderful multiple course lunch cooked by Theo Creton from Mara restaurant at Links House at Royal Dornoch. Paired with whisky and optional wine, this can be arranged as an additional extra for those who want it, which led to the question, will The Dalmore pursue a Michelin Star restaurant like The Glenturret have done so successfully?
Amy Burns, global head of brands said that while they thought about it, this would ultimately take away from the whisky and become all about the food. Plus the flexibility they have to work with local chefs means the experience continues to be bespoke. Whether you want a five course lunch or some fried chicken.
Anyone driving the popular North Coast 500 route and expecting to pop in to The Dalmore for a tour, a tea and a scone are going to be disappointed. But for those that love the brand and have the means to afford this one-off experience, it’ll stay with them for a long time. I’ve already recommended it to one of my good friends for his 40th in a few years time; it’s that sense of occasion and being looked after that’ll appeal to anyone who wants an unusual experience - not to mention some great drams.
Bookings are currently open until April 2027, through the website: www.thedalmore.com, with a reserve list also in operation.
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