Dalwhinnie 15 Year

I receive numerous emails from a large wine retailer about their "whiskey of the month" specials, much of which is low-quality stuff that the sales team gets bonuses for pushing. Usually, they aren't very good. But I was pleasantly surprised when this month's email featured a whisky from a distillery I knew but hadn't tried? This is The Dalwhinnie 15 year... The aroma is exceptionally sweet and mild. It reminds me of Aberfeldy without the fruit. Honey and toffee are very sweet, mingled with deeper notes like peaches and custard. The aroma concludes with a brief, gentle puff of peat smoke. A mild and cool (no alcohol sting) taste brings honey, malty sugary cereal, and some lively citrus. As the taste develops, it becomes a little drier with some tannic black tea, and finally just a whisper of the peat smoke that was barely noticeable in the aroma. The finish is medium in length and somewhat oily. Some nuts and malty cereal carry through with just a touch of baking spice. This whisky is characterized by sweetness, with very subtle hints of complexity appearing here and there. You know what? I quite enjoy it, and for under $100 a bottle, with it always being easy to find, I think it makes a wonderful after-dinner dram.

To celebrate my 150th review, I'm tasting three single malts I haven't had before. These are the last samples from a "Regions of Scotland" set. The Highlands are represented by Dalwhinnie 15. I've heard it's a must-try classic, but the $125 price tag always made me want to sample it before buying a full bottle. Nose: Toffee, peaches and cream Palate: Subtle, nectarine, tannins Finish: Warm and spicy, with stone fruits, leaving you wanting more. Overall, it's likely the least complex of the three, but possibly my favorite. It's just so incredibly delicious and easy to drink. Still not worth the price here in Ontario, but if I find it on sale at the Duty Free, I'll definitely pick up a bottle of this wonderful spirit.

A potent Single Malt Whisky from Dalwhinnie Distillery in Dalwhinnie, Highlands, Scotland, aged at least 15 years in refill Bourbon casks. It starts dry & crisp with notes of toffee, fruit salad, nectarine, custard, apple blossom, honeysuckle, vanilla, citrus & smoke. The rich & delicate body adds notes of caramel, heather-honey, pear, apple peels, vanilla, citrus, fire, a hint of malted bread & cinnamon. It concludes with a long & spicy finish featuring vanilla, apple, walnut, almond, smoke, malt & more cinnamon. January / March 2020 / July / 2021 / August 2022

Likely one of my preferred scotches. A subtle hint of peat is present, not lingering, but a reminder of the scotch experience. A full range of flavors, leaning towards toasty, which stays smooth throughout. Possibly a touch of cigar on the finish with a hint of woodiness. Not overpowering, very agreeable.

Nose: Floral, grassy, eggy, wild honey, damp earth A gentle floral aroma reminiscent of wildflowers. A savory, slightly fishy grassy scent, like walking on half-dried grass. A persistent eggy smell... A wild honey aroma, not like sticking your nose in a hive, but like catching a whiff of honey on your hand. Because of the sourness from it, is it apricot? A musty, damp earthy smell. Palate: Sweetness. A subtle honey taste, like sucking on wildflowers. An oddly pungent, bitter grassy taste. Adding a drop of water separates the flavors, making it too bitter... Finish: The bitterness lingers and fades slowly until the end, transitioning from grassy and eggy notes back to floral. A bitter sensation remains on the tongue. A slightly savory grassy scent.

The aroma offers notes of malted toffee and savory elements, which carry over to the taste. It's complemented by a subtle smoky peat and a bitterness from the barrel that lingers quite a while, especially for a spirit at a moderate 86 proof. The 15-year-old expression presents a more pronounced oak character than the 12, resulting in a slightly drier finish. If that profile appeals to you, this is a suggested option.