Dalwhinnie The Distillers Edition 17 Years Old 1998

A 17 year old Dalwhinnie, a distillery bottling, from 1998, cask D. SW. 312, at 43%. Dalwhinnie is the Highland member of the Classic Malts, known for its soft heather honey style. Its water is soft snowmelt drawn from the surrounding hills.

It was run through the pear shaped stills on soft snowmelt water, for a soft, honeyed make with a waxy depth. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the gentle, waxy spirit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins add a gentle, drying grip to the honey. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. It runs pear shaped copper stills whose vapour is cooled in traditional worm tubs. Refill oak lets the soft heather honey character lead the way. The high reflux of the stills gives a light spirit, the worm tubs a waxy depth. Years in oak round the spirit, the apple and honey deepening over the waxy core.

Bottled at 43%, it is rounded. A gentle, floral sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The texture is soft and waxy, the fruit lifted by vanilla. The finish is long, soft and gently warming. This is the Highland malt at the heart of the Classic Malts.