The Dalmore has unveiled The Portfolio Series 2025, the second release of The Portfolio Series, an annual three-part collection of Highland Single Malt Scotch whiskies finessed in hand-selected Bordeaux casks from some of the region’s most revered Châteaux vineyards.
The Portfolio Series is a limited-edition collection of red wine cask finished whiskies expertly curated by The Dalmore’s Master Whisky Makers, and each year, thoughtfully interpreted by a chosen creative in collaboration with partner V&A Dundee. Drawing inspiration from the flavours, processes and stories of The Dalmore distillery, each artist applies unique design techniques to create specially commissioned works of art for the packaging.
This year, for The Portfolio Series 2025, The Dalmore has partnered with graphic artist Gabriella Marcella, founder and director of RISOTTO, a leading risograph print and design studio in Scotland.
The Portfolio Series 2025 will make its global channel debut on 1 September at Singapore Changi Airport, in exclusive partnership with Lotte Duty Free, before rolling out to additional international hub airports from October. This one-month exclusive listing period marks The Dalmore’s first ever pop-up at the airport.
The time Gabriella spent at The Dalmore distillery in the Highlands of Scotland proved a pivotal moment for shaping the evolution of her designs. Immersed at the home of The Dalmore, witnessing their whisky making artistry, she was inspired by elements such as motion, process and time. The whiskies themselves played a significant role in influencing Gabriella’s designs, particularly their layered, sensory notes, and the warmth of their natural hues.
“My aim was to translate the smooth, flowing characteristics of these whiskies into visual elements – ones that evoke movement and tactility,” Gabriella explained.
Gabriella’s secondary source of inspiration was grounded in The Dalmore’s heritage, specifically the tartan of the Mackenzies, the clan of the distillery’s founders. Within the tartan Gabriella studied the intricate patterns and thread counts and took inspiration from the inherent precision of ancient weaving practices.
“My approach was to honour the Mackenzie tartan’s heritage while reimagining it in ways that felt contemporary and in alignment with The Dalmore’s innovative spirit,” she says.
The result is a striking re-interpretation of the tartan, capturing the tactility of risograph – where each colour is layered separately using a drum filled with soy-based inks, resulting in wonderfully vibrant, tactile print, distinguished by their characteristically ‘perfectly imperfect’ alignments and handcrafted appearance – in away that is both contemporary and re-imagined.
“My designs were rooted in a deep appreciation for The Dalmore’s heritage, the whisky-making craft, and the unique attributes of The Dalmore itself,” Gabriella explained. “And just as whisky follows a carefully honed recipe, my designs began with strict parameters – thread count and tartan grids etc – before I introduced elements of play and abstraction.”
The exceptional whiskies within The Dalmore Portfolio Series are non-aged statements, of natural colour and non-chill filtered.
- Portfolio Series No.1 (3,595 bottles, £500/US$635) – finished in Bordeaux wine casks, 46.8% AVB
- Portfolio Series No.2 (1,596 bottles, £750/US$952.50) – finished in Châteauneuf du-Pape casks, 46% AVB
- Portfolio Series No.3 (1,014 bottles, £1,000/US$1,270) – finished in select Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon casks, 49.7% ABV
“We are proud to build on the success of the inaugural launch with The Portfolio Series 2025 and the limited-edition release of this exceptional whisky collection, which is celebrated visually in the stand-out packaging created by the bold creative vision of Gabriella Marcella,” commented Whyte & Mackay marketing director GTR Janice McIntosh.
“Last year, through our pioneering airport art gallery concept, we really pushed the boundaries to introduce this special concept, which was exceptionally well received. We are excited to partner with Singapore Changi Airport and Lotte Duty Free to offer global travellers yet more distinctive and immersive moments of discovery from The Dalmore.”
