Dalwhinnie 16 Years Old Ses (Sestante)

The Italian bottler Sestante bottled this Dalwhinnie, a 16 year old, bottled at 43%. Dalwhinnie has made its light, waxy Highland malt beside the Drumochter hills since 1898. It is most famous as a 15 year old, sold alongside Talisker and Oban in the classic range.

The spirit was distilled slowly for a clean, fragrant spirit, for a soft, honeyed make with a waxy depth. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light vanilla and honey. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and pear) and a honeyed depth over the worm tub wax. Soft snowmelt water and a clean ferment give the fragrant Dalwhinnie make. Cold warehouses on the high ground slow the spirit's loss to the angels' share. The high reflux of the stills gives a light spirit, the worm tubs a waxy depth. For decades its staff doubled as Met Office weather observers, logging some of the coldest readings in Britain.

At 43% it is smooth and honeyed. A smooth, sweet fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is soft and waxy, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. The close is soft and warming, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a gentle, honeyed Highland single malt.