An icon rooted in tradition

Single malt whisky connoisseurs are very discerning, and they make it a point to know everything about their single malts, including the distillery where it was produced and the cask that gave birth to it. True whisky lovers would shudder at the thought of commercial whisky passing through their lips, with some even considering it sacrilege to do so.

One trademark of connoisseurs is their patience, as they would wait for that special moment when a true single malt whose spirit has been distilled from the finest process and aged in specially selected casks — a privilege that only very few can enjoy especially when the single malt whisky involved is The Dalmore.

Rooted in its brand heritage of bravery, The Dalmore’s history goes back to 1263 when Colin of Kintail, chief of the Clan Mackenzie, saved the life of King Alexander III of Scotland who gave the Mackenzie clan the right to bear the 12- pointed Royal Stag as its crest. When clan descendants Andrew and Charles Mackenzie acquired the distillery in 1867, they adopted the silver Royal Stag as the official emblem of The Dalmore.

Today, The Dalmore has become an icon in the world of fine luxury whiskies.

The sit- down, Dalmore Whisky- pairing dinner was catered by Chef Jessie with Emperador Distillers president and CEO Winston Co, regional managing director for Asia Pacific Glenn Manlapaz, Whyte & Mackay CFO

Michael Sloan, The Dalmore spokesman Adam Knox and top Emperador executives.

Guests got a glimpse of The Dalmore’s exclusive limited Vintage Collection in Manila composed of The Dalmore Vintage 2000 Aged 15 Years and The Dalmore Vintage 1997 Aged 18 Years. These vintage whiskies are single cask releases bottled at cask strength, with only 600 bottles per vintage available in the world — so exclusive that it is only available upon invitation.

Among those who attended the exclusive Scotch tasting are (from left) Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev, Emperador Distillers president and CEO Winston Co, Maria Ilina, Whyte & Mackay CFO Michael Sloan, The Dalmore spokesman Adam Knox, Lutz Kunack, FCB Manila chairman and CEO Arnold Liong, Noel Oñate, myself and Arthur Lopez. Not in photo are Emperador Distillers’ Eva Patalinjug, FCB Manila’s Ellen Samano, Emperador Distillers regional managing director Glenn Manlapaz and Whyte & Mackay’s Edward Pears.

The Dalmore Vintage 1997, The Dalmore King Alexander III and The Dalmore 15 Years Old.

Ambassador Khovaev and wife Maria with Michael Sloan.

Ellen Samano, Arnold Liong and Glenn Manlapaz.

Photos by RAMON JOSEPH J. RUIZ ECON Holdings corp. president Noel Oñate and Philippine Hotel Owners Association president Arthur Lopez.

Edward Pears and Adam Knox.

Winston Co.