Dalwhinnie 19 Years Old 1962 (Connoisseurs Choice)

This Dalwhinnie was bottled by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 19 year old, distilled in 1962, bottled at 40%. Dalwhinnie, owned by Diageo, makes a soft, honeyed malt at Scotland's highest working distillery. For decades its staff doubled as Met Office weather observers, logging some of the coldest readings in Britain.

It was distilled slowly for a clean, fragrant spirit, for the heather honey make Dalwhinnie is known for. 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. Refill oak lets the soft heather honey character lead the way. Soft snowmelt water and a clean ferment give the fragrant Dalwhinnie make. Its vapour is condensed in worm tubs rather than modern condensers, the source of its waxy weight.

At an approachable 40% it is soft and easy. Soft heather honey, apple and a gentle malt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Pear, honey and a creamy malt fill the middle. The finish is rounded, honeyed and gently warming. This is Scotland's highest distillery in single malt form.