Dalwhinnie
- OWNER: DIAGEO
- FOUNDED: 1897
- REGION: SPEYSIDE
- PRONUNCIATION: Dal-WHINNY
At one thousand feet above sea level, Dalwhinnie is the second-highest distillery in Scotland, surpassed only by Braeval. The name is derived from the Scots Gaelic word meaning “the meeting place,” and indeed it is at the confluence of three old roads, which made it the ideal location for cattle drovers and whisky smugglers long before anyone realized it would be a good place to make whisky, too (well, legal whisky, that is). Like Cragganmore and Craigellachie, Dalwhinnie has worm tubs, but unlike them, its house style is light and grassy—Iain Banks compares it to a fino sherry you might drink before a meal.
Dalwhinnie
Aged 15 Years
A simple, classic Speyside whisky, aged in ex-bourbon casks.
- PRICE $$ · RATING
- AGE 15 years old
- ALC/VOL 43%
- NOSE Peaches, almond, strawberries, vanilla, sweet malt, toffee, and apple blossoms; water brings out an oily, nutty rancio note.
- PALATE Roasted peanuts, cigar smoke, floral tea, apple cider, and grain; water makes the sweetness richer and adds a surprising, pleasing sponge cake note. The finish is drying and slightly bitter, a bit like Earl Grey tea.
- GENERAL This one takes well to water, which tones down the bitterness toward the end and extends the sweet notes. It’s a solid, middle-of-the-road Speysider that will surprise with its rich sweetness.
Distillers Edition
A non-age-statement whisky (rumors say it’s about 15 years old) aged in ex-bourbon barrels that has spent an additional year in ex-oloroso sherry casks.
- PRICE $$ · RATING
- AGE No age statement
- ALC/VOL 43%
- NOSE Very sweet, with honey, peaches and cream, vanilla, and confectioners’ sugar; water brings out pear, cider, and floral notes.
- PALATE A medium mouthfeel, with chocolate, sweet cinnamon, and ginger; water adds cedar, orange blossom, and a bit of white wine. The slightly bitter finish is surprisingly meaty and leathery.
- GENERAL Elegant but robust. The finish is a bit of a mess, but not unpleasantly so. Quite easy to drink, this one.