Dalwhinnie 15yo

From WhIsKI

The Dalwhinnie distillery's claim-to-fame is being the highest in Scotland. How that correlates with quality I leave to the marketers. I know it as the distillery in the middle of nowhere that you pass on the train to Perth.

The other notable point about Dalwhinnie's location is that, despite being labeled a Highland Malt, it is in fact much closer to the Spey river than the bulk of the Speysides. That the Spey is little more than a trickle that ebbs and flows with the urination rate of the local sheep may have something to do with this deliberate oversight. Once again, I leave this to the marketers.

The flagship 15yo is a simple dram that seems to get more of its peatiness from the local water than from the malt. Floral and citrus notes make a nice finish. "Good with chocolate" was the promise and, it being Easter, this was put to the test. I report here that decent solid chocolates are hard to come by in Edinburgh. I liked it, but many others were hesitant with the praise, instead complaining about a disappointing lack of character and body. Could it be that they just wanted to get on to the Port Ellen?

Etittley 16:19, 23 April 2007 (BST)