Dràm Mòr Dumbarton Rock Blended Malt Whisky

Key Facts About This Blended Malt Scotch

Bottler: Dràm Mòr

Founders: Viktorija and Kenny Macdonald

Spirit: Blended malt scotch 

Alcohol by Volume: 46%

Bottled: Natural colour and without chill filtration

Bottle Size: 700ml

Awards: Silver Medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2023

Dumbarton Rock Tasting Notes

Nose: Fresh baked cookies, honey softening after a few moments into pear drops, vanilla and chocolate. Fudge wrapped in mellow oak and sweet spices.

Palate: Quite fresh, very soft, sweet and fruity coating the mouth. A blend of honey-drizzled apples and pears crash into raisins and sultanas all enveloped by that vanilla fudge and butterscotch.

Finish: Subtle vanilla, a wonderful cereal note with delicate spice of gentle white pepper, cinnamon and ginger tickling the palette in the perfect ending to a delicious dram.

About Dumbarton

Dumbarton’s origins stretch back at least 1,500 years to the late 7th century, though its roots likely delve even further into antiquity. It served as a central stronghold of the Goidelic Celts until 872, when Viking invaders devastated the area, marking the decline of the Goidelic Celts and ushering in the rise of the Kingdom of Strathclyde. The name Dumbarton itself is a reminder of this heritage; in Scottish Gaelic, "Dùn Breatainn" translates to "fort of the kingdom of the Goidelic Celts."

Dumbarton’s prominence resurfaced in 1220 when King Alexander II commissioned a castle atop the striking volcanic formation known as "The Rock," aiming to protect settlements up the Clyde from Norwegian Vikings and the seafaring Western Isles. Through the centuries, The Rock withstood multiple sieges, including attempts by King Olaf of Norway and the notorious Ivar the Boneless, son of the legendary Ragnar Lothbrock, remaining unconquered.

Over the ages, The Rock has welcomed notable figures, including Sir William Wallace, who famously rallied Scotland against English rule. Captured after the battle of Falkirk, Wallace was held here by Sir John Monteith, who later handed him over to the English in 1305. Later, Wallace’s limbs were returned to Scotland, displayed across the land as a warning, while his head remained mounted at Westminster.

Both King David II (1333-34) and Mary, Queen of Scots (1561) found refuge here en route to safety in France. Tragically, upon her return, Mary suffered her final defeat and was captured, ultimately facing execution under her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England.

As the medieval period waned, Dumbarton transitioned into a lively town, witnessing growth and prosperity. By the mid-18th century, it had gained fame in glassmaking, shipbuilding, and eventually whisky production. Notably, the swift Cutty Sark was built here, one of the last and fastest sea clippers ever constructed. In 1936, Canadian distillers Hiram Walker acquired George Ballantine and Son, transforming an old shipyard site into a vast distillery.

Today, Dumbarton, home to nearly 20,000 residents, includes Viktorija and Kenny Macdonald, founders of Dràm Mòr. As independent bottlers of Single Cask Scotch Whisky, as well as Rum, Armagnac, Calvados, and Cognac, they continue to celebrate Dumbarton’s proud heritage. Their carefully crafted blended malt Scotch whisky captures the essence of this historic town, honouring the legacy of quality that defines the region.