Dalwhinnie The Distillers Edition 15 Years Old 2002

A 15 year old Dalwhinnie, a distillery bottling, from 2002, cask D.SY.313, at 43%. Dalwhinnie takes its name from the old drovers' meeting place on the high road north. It was one of the six original Classic Malts of Scotland, chosen to represent the Highlands.

It was drawn off the pear shaped stills and cooled in cast iron worm tubs, giving the soft, honeyed Highland spirit. 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. Maturation at over a thousand feet keeps the spirit soft and slow to develop. It runs pear shaped copper stills whose vapour is cooled in traditional worm tubs. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey to the fore.

Reduced to 43%, it is mellow. A smooth, sweet fruitiness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Soft orchard fruit and heather honey sit behind the cask. The finish is rounded, honeyed and gently warming. This is Scotland's highest distillery in single malt form.