Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold

This official Dalwhinnie, at 43%. Dalwhinnie is a gentle, honeyed Highland single malt, one of the original Classic Malts of Scotland. In 1934 a fire destroyed much of the stillhouse, which was rebuilt around the original worm tubs.

Drawn off the pear shaped stills and cooled in cast iron worm tubs, giving the soft, honeyed Highland spirit. A wine cask finish layered fruit over the honeyed, waxy malt. No age is given, but vanillin vanilla and a soft honey are well integrated over a waxy body. A gentle maturation suits the soft make, the heather honey growing richer with time. Maturation at over a thousand feet keeps the spirit soft and slow to develop. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey to the fore. The site lies in the high Drumochter pass, often cut off by snow in deep winter. It was one of the six original Classic Malts of Scotland, chosen to represent the Highlands.

At an approachable 43% it is soft and easy. A gentle, floral sweetness, with a spiced, dried fruit edge from the cask. The texture is soft and waxy, the fruit lifted by vanilla. Apple, honey and a soft oak see out a long finish. This is a Classic Malt of real charm.