One of the early Diageo Special Releases, this cask-strength Dalwhinnie was bottled in 2002. An intensely-flavoured dram, with natural honey and more than a whiff of smoke, this is the oldest-ever official expression of Dalwhinnie, and arguably the best.
Colour: amber. Nose: Starts a bit yeasty, but the complexity is well here. Quite a lot of oak, tannins, lactones. Develops on nutty notes, grass, herbs... Perhaps a bit rougher than expected. Hints of mashed potatoes. Mouth: smooth and mellow but it then gets both grassy and fruity (passion fruit, mango). A bit of burnt caramel, tea, white pepper. It then gets oakier and oakier... Some dusty notes, but quite amazingly, it isn’t too drying, in fact. Long finish, somewhat grassy. It lacks just a bit of the Cadenhead’s elegance and complexity. A very nice one but not an absolute stunner like, again, the new Mortlach 32 yo OB that I like so much. 88 points.
Distillery | Dalwhinnie |
Classification | Single Malt Whisky |
Bottle No./Released | 450/1500 |
Vintage | 1966 |
Age | 36 |
Bottler | Official Bottling |
Bottling Date | 2002 |
ABV/ Volume | 47.2%/ 70cl |
Rating/SGP | 88/- |
Cask Number | - |
Type: Speyside - Diageo