Dalwhinnie The Distillers Edition 17 Years Old 1991

A 17 year old Dalwhinnie, a distillery bottling, from 1991, cask D. SP. 312, at 43%. Dalwhinnie is a light, honeyed Highland malt shaped by its worm tubs and the coldest air in Britain. In 1934 a fire destroyed much of the stillhouse, which was rebuilt around the original worm tubs.

Made on soft hill water and condensed in worm tubs, for a clean, floral spirit with a waxy core. An Oloroso finish gave fig and dried fruit above the heather honey. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and pear) and a honeyed depth over the worm tub wax. Refill oak lets the soft heather honey character lead the way. It was one of the six original Classic Malts of Scotland, chosen to represent the Highlands. The cold, high air of the central hills gives a slow, even maturation. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey to the fore.

At 43% it is gentle, sweet and honeyed. Honey, pear and a waxy weight, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run apple, pear and a soft honey. Apple, honey and a soft oak see out a long finish. This is the Highland malt at the heart of the Classic Malts.