Dalwhinnie The Distillers Edition 18 Years Old 1992

An official release of Dalwhinnie, an 18 year old, from 1992, cask D. SR. 312, at 43%. Dalwhinnie has made its light, waxy Highland malt beside the Drumochter hills since 1898. In 1934 a fire destroyed much of the stillhouse, which was rebuilt around the original worm tubs.

Distilled from unpeated malt in pear shaped copper stills, for the heather honey make Dalwhinnie is known for. A sherry cask wrapped the soft spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, apple and pear turning honeyed over the soft, waxy body. 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. It stands at over a thousand feet above sea level, the highest distillery in Scotland.

Reduced to 43%, it is mellow. Honey, pear and a waxy weight, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is soft and waxy, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. A smooth, honeyed finish ends on pear and a warming spice. This is Dalwhinnie's soft, heather honey Highland style.