Dalwhinnie The Distillers Edition 2023

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Dalwhinnie - Highlands

Refill Amrican, European Oak Casks and Seasoned Oloroso Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Sales websites no longer even specify whether the new Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition is from 2022 or 2023. Now that they're no longer vintage, and there's nothing to distinguish them, I admit it's pointless. The finish that Dalwhinnie DE benefits from is Sherry Oloroso, which is reputed to be the best.

Let's Taste It : 

The Sherry is light, with dried fruit, dates, raisins, apricots and fresh leather. Hints of wood give it some structure. Elastic, buttery rubber. It's a little spicy, with cinnamon, cloves, ginger. Grapefruit. A whiff of smoke. On the palate, it's still watery, more cereal-like and austere. Earth and pepper, tall herbs. Tubers with a touch of vanilla. Fairly good, long finish, liquorice and dark chocolate, roots, bark and forest fragrances. Fresh figs, cola, heather.

 

In Short, 

The profile of the 15-year-old resurfaces on the palate, which I didn't find too appealing. On the nose and finish, however, the sherry finish scores points and makes the whisky more pleasant. That said, it's nothing exceptional either, just enough to liven up your dessert.

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Soft Set - Gone

Dalwhinnie Winter's Gold

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Dalwhinnie - Highlands

American and European Oak Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2015

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Dalwhinnie also needed its own its NAS. This has been the case since 2015. The concept is that this Winter's Gold was inspired by the cold climate of the northern part of the Highlands from which it comes, at 1164 feet above sea level. The juice is distilled during the coldest months of the year, and is even recommended to be served ice cold. Given that cold is reputed to take the flavour out of whisky, I doubt the relevance of this advice.

 

 

 

Let"s Taste It : 

It's creamier and more indulgent than the 15-year-old. Chantilly, vanilla, acacia honey, floral touches, with fruit and caramel, apricot tart, a zest of orange, candied lemon and condiments. A very fine pinch of salt. The palate is lighter but the vanilla is still predominant, the fruit is fuller, gingerbread, cereals sprinkled with cinnamon and a few discreet spices, cloves, ginger. The finish is correct, with roots and dark chocolate, black radish, dry earth, dates and a hint of forest notes.

 

In Short, 

Honestly, I found it better than the 15-year-old. The flavours are clearer and more tasty. It's much less austere and more expressive. More modern, in other words. Incidentally, it's a little more expensive, and that doesn't shock me. I tasted it at room temperature, though.

Score : 84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           She Drew the Gun - Washed in Blue

Dalwhinnie 15 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Dalwhinnie - Highlands

American Oak Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt

Launched in 1982

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Dalwhinnie 15 is said to have been created in 1982, making it one of the oldest aged single malts on the market. It comes from Scotland's highest and therefore coldest distillery. It was included in Diageo's Single Classic Malts range in 1987 or 1988, and this is where its reputation comes from. The distillery produces mainly for Blends, but has three expressions in its Core Range, including this one, the only one to be aged.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose oozes fir honey, heather and roots. Wheat spikes rocked by the wind, tall herbs, frisée lettuce, with hints of wood, bark, acorns, yellow apples, even mirabelle plums. Chasselas grapes. On the palate, vanilla and pastry cream, a few farmhouse touches, hay, smoked straw. Rustic cereals, dry spices, cloves, nutmeg. The finish is short but pleasant, whipped cream, cider, malted barley, millet grains, all sprinkled with lemon pulp, grated ginger, dry earth, pistachio, chestnut.

 

In Short, 

I discovered it when I was a teenager, and I have to say I never liked it. Today, I have to admit that it has qualities, and even a personality. You don't stay on the market for more than forty years for no reason. For me, it remains very austere, even arid, severe, despite the touches of pastry and honey. I'm not happy with the 43° alcohol level, I feel like it's less, it's very light. It has its enthusiasts, I'm not judging.

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Low - Words