Dalwhinnie The Distillers Edition 1980

An official release of Dalwhinnie, from 1980, cask D.SC.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.

The spirit was made on soft hill water and condensed in worm tubs, for a clean, floral spirit with a waxy core. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut over the honey. Without an age statement, vanillin sweetness and a gentle apple point to good years in oak. Refill oak lets the soft heather honey character lead the way. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. It is most famous as a 15 year old, sold alongside Talisker and Oban in the classic range. Soft snowmelt water and a clean ferment give the fragrant Dalwhinnie make. The distillery briefly swapped its worm tubs for modern condensers in the 1980s, then returned to the worms when the spirit changed.

At 43% it is clean and soft. Heather honey, vanilla and a soft malt, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is soft and waxy, the fruit carried on a honeyed body. Apple, honey and a soft oak see out a long finish. This is a Classic Malt of real charm.