Dalwhinnie’s story is a common one. The majority of their malt production is reserved for a blend, namely Black & White, while a portion is bottled as a standalone single malt. The recently reviewed bottlings from Royal Lochnagar, Aberfeldy have similar arrangements. While sampling component malts of major Scotch blends isn’t exactly a favorite hobby of mine, I do appreciate as a lover of Scotch whisky when a distillery’s work, normally hidden in a blend somewhere on the shelf, is allowed a singular showing. In this case Dalwhinnie gets a chance to showcase a simple barley malt, no finishing, aged in ex-bourbon casks. Scotch whisky orthodoxy, in other words. And because I couldn’t possibly squeeze any more content into this paragraph without looking strikingly bereft of anything else interesting to say, let’s move on.
Dalwhinnie’s owner, Diageo, also allows a once a year Distiller’s Edition, generally a special bottling with a different, and yes more expensive, flair. Today’s selection, Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old, a Highland region malt, is also represented in Diageo’s Classic Malt Series. The stout, simple bottle contains 43% ABV and will run you about $75 bucks. On to it…
SWC Review
Nose- Light floral touches. Straw and cereal. Sweetness underneath with lemon hints. Paint thinner.
Taste- Mold. Grass, light cereal. Green fruit faded in the background.
Finish- Hay. Medium length. Bitter and sour. Some oak tannins.
Comment- Forgettable, especially at this price, which makes this disappointing as well. Light and watery. Pass.
SWC Rating- 71/100
Agree? Disagree? Calm down and stop yelling.
Spokane Whiskey Club 
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