In 1263, the Chief of the Clan MacKenzie saved King Alexander III from being gored by a stag whilst out hunting. The grateful King granted him the right to bear a 12-pointed Royal Stag in his coat of arms. Descendants of the Clan took over The Dalmore distillery in 1867 and from then on, every bottle of The Dalmore single malt whisky has been adorned with the emblem.

Master Distiller, Richard Paterson, created The Mackenzie expression as a tribute to this act of bravery. The vintage was initially matured in American white oak for 11 years, then transferred to Port pipes from Oporto for a further six years.