Dalwhinnie 15y

Ruben — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:00:09 +0000

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. Fruity (peach, citrus). Rather expressive, I must say. Mouth: quite malty and honeyed. Oily. Some heather and vanilla. Lemon. Again a little more smoke than I expected. A few roasted and sugary notes. Slightly herbal 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 and great quality for the price.

Score: 84/100

Dalwhinnie 1970 (Gordon & MacPhail)

Ruben — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:06:16 +0000

Dalwhinnie is part of the Diageo Classic Malts but even then releases are very rare. I couldn’t find much information about this bottle, but it’s clear that Gordon & MacPhail have bottled several 1970 casks at the end of the 80’s and beginning of the 90’s.

Dalwhinnie 21 yo 1970 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 1991, 70 cl.)

Nose: a beautiful marriage of mainly two aromas. First, all sorts of beehive aromas (wax, honey, pollen) and then a soft marmalade side (yellow plums, some apple). All this coated with a layer of peat smoke that’s just great. Hints of turpentine. Some oak and grassy notes. Mouth: starts powerful and peppery. Less fruity than expected, although there is some pear. A bit of caramel. Then shows grassy notes and big hints of herbal tea, liquorice and mint. A bit heavy on the oak. Finish: fairly herbal and slightly bitter. Hints of peat again. Medium length.

This Dalwhinnie started on a very interesting and rewarding nose, but it couldn’t hold the constant level I was hoping for. Still very nice.

Score: 86/100

WhiskyNotes » Dalwhinnie

Dalwhinnie 15y

Dalwhinnie 15yo (43%, OB 2007)

Dalwhinnie 1970 (Gordon & MacPhail)

Dalwhinnie 21 yo 1970 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 1991, 70 cl.)