Dalwhinnie represents the Central Highlands in the Classic Malts series of Diageo. It is one of the highest situated distilleries of Scotland (326m above sea level) and among the top-15 of most sold single malt whisky worldwide. Production and releases are limited though, there’s only the 15 years old and the 17 years old Distiller’s Edition (15 years + 2 years in oloroso sherry casks).

Dalwhinnie 15yo (43%, OB 2007)

Nose: light, malty (beer and cereal notes) and very honeyed. Slightly phenolic and peaty. Fruity (peach). Rather expressive, I must say. Mouth: quite malty and sweet. Oily. Some heather and vanilla. Citrus. Again more smoke than I expected. A few roasted and sugary notes. Slightly herbal and peaty towards the end. Finish: falls down a bit. Rather grassy.

A good middle-of-the-road dram: full-bodied, clean and sweet without being cloying. Indeed a representative of the Highlands style.

Score: 82/100