Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition

Scotland, September 25, 2017. Distillery tasting, likely the 2017 release. Nose: An old, musty cereal scent, like a hayloft with a leaky roof. Slightly honeyed and sherried, but predominantly a malty aroma with grassy undertones. There's a rather distinct grape-like top note that becomes clearer as the whisky sits and develops in the glass. Adding water immediately diminishes the nose. [The aroma from the dry glass is honey]. Palate: A sharp and nearly sour arrival. Cereal and bittersweet malt with hot tannins, hot cinnamon, and walnut oil. The texture is oily but causes puckering. The palate seemed thin and uniform. Finish: Medium. Sour cereal and oak tannin. The lingering taste is like strong overbrewed English breakfast tea with a spoonful of white sugar. The nose improved over time, but the palate never became more than awkwardly intriguing – it struck me as random and unbalanced with a noticeable hint of sulphur. Adding water didn't help; it just diluted the overall experience. Whisky is highly subjective, as we all know, and for me, there's little to praise about this dram – it's simply not my preferred style of whisky. Considering the significant price, it's not something I would ever consider purchasing. Re-tasted from a 30ml sample of the 1998/2015 release in 2019. Re-tasted from a 30ml sample of the 2003/2018 release in 2021. My rating remains the same as the original. "Adequate": 74/100 (2.25 stars)

This is the second round of reviewing bottles from my collection that I haven't yet assessed, following the first round (Balvenie 12 Single Barrel). The color is a deep, clear amber. The aroma is reminiscent of pear nectar, like a concentrated version of Oban 14, along with a subtle smoky peat; orange marmalade on toast; and an autumnal tart apple cider. The palate is more intense and coats the mouth, with a smokier presence, though by no means overpowering. Notes of sweet golden raisins and honey also appear. The sweet smokiness continues through the lengthy finish. It's delicious. 4.25 out of 5 stars. This bottle was distilled in 2004 and bottled in 2019. 43% ABV. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Aroma: Light fruits, honeycomb, caramelized orange peel, faint vanilla, reminiscent of Icewine Aroma after swirling: Very airy and sweet notes Aroma after a drop of water: A much more aggressive burn gives way to honey-dipped fruits. Taste: Thin, oily mouthfeel. Surprisingly... Honey Nut Cheerios! Like a malted grain enveloped in honeycomb. Very slight, light fruitiness, but far less than the aroma suggested. Taste after a drop of water: Medium heat, much darker notes; stone fruit, peat. Finish: Very little heat (almost none), light notes fade into a dark grainy finish. A slight linger.

DALWHINNIE 1997 17 YEAR OLD DISTILLER EDITION 43% - Second attempt - Mild, unimpressive nose with raspberries and grapes; mildness in the smell, a bit of pepper. 2.25 - Delicate, oaky, round red fruits; I compare this to berries (confirmed to be in an Olorosso cask). Very mild, mildness; bitterness appears at the end. 2 - Simple and oaky. 2 - 2 - Dalwhinnie 1997 17 Year Old Distiller Edition 43% - Highest in altitude - Spicy, pear, fruity. 2 - Spicy, nutty sweetness, oily, iodine. 2 - Nutty finish. 2 - 2

Smells like fresh green grapes, honeycomb, ginger, milk chocolate, and applesauce. Tastes of juicy pear, light peat, dates, honey, dried fruits, and beeswax. The finish is medium with honey, sweet apples, and spices. It's delicious and incredibly balanced. The nose and palate are complex, with just the right amount of peat and dark fruits. I love the honey from beginning to end. The finish could be a little longer, but with such a beautiful nose and palate, it's tough to find fault.

Uncorked the bottle. The aroma presents fruits such as pear or green grapes alongside a touch of peat. On the palate, the peat recedes, allowing the fruity notes to come forward. While others mention floral notes, I don't detect them. Perhaps my palate isn't developed enough to distinguish them. The finish is somewhat smoky and enduring. All in all, a satisfying drink.