The distillery was established in 1839 by entrepreneur Alexander Matheson and sold to Andrew and Charles Mackenzie in 1867, who introduced the 12-pointed Royal Stag emblem.

The subsequent legal battle between Andrew Mackenzie and the Royal Navy lasted over half a decade, even reaching the House of Lords.

[8] The water used in the Dalmore is taken from the river Averon, which runs through the small town of Alness, where the distillery is located.

The waters of the river flow from the nearby Loch Morie, located deep in the heart of the Northern Highlands.

A significant contributor to W&M's blends, for many years Dalmore's presence in the world of single malt was restricted to a 12-year-old expression.