The Dalmore distillery was built in Alness on the Cromarty Firth in 1839 by Alexander Matheson and leased out to a number of families over the years, but in 1867 Matheson awarded the lease to 24-year-old Andrew Mackenzie and his younger brother Charles. They bought the distillery in 1891.

For almost 100 years Mackenzie Brothers ran Dalmore and was an independent family-owned company.

In 1960 the company finally lost its independence when, under pressure from family members who wished to realise their investment, it merged with Whyte & Mackay Ltd.