Twice now Diageo has brought us a Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old as part of their annual Special Releases. They did so last year, but also in 2012, which is the version I’ll be tasting today. It has matured in rejuvenated American oak casks, meaning they used to be tired, old casks. But after scraping the inside and re-charring them, they were ready to be used again.
Now Dalwhinnie is pretty rare. Come to think of it, I’ve only ever tasted their entry-level 15 year old. The only other expression that is regularly available is the Distillers Edition. There have been some limited editions, but not many. And don’t bother trying to find independent bottlings. Cadenhead, Gordon & MacPhail and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society have bottled some casks in the past, but the last independent release dates from 2003.
Dalwhinnie 25 (52,1%, OB, Special Release 2012)
Nose: Heather and dried grass. Lots of orchard and stone fruits. Apple, pear, nectarine and peach. Melon too. Very fresh and extremely friendly. A touch of honey and almonds.
Taste: A nice, oily mouthfeel. A decent amount of oak, with menthol and (albeit less so) aniseed. Honeycomb, sal ammoniac and licorice. A lot less fruity than the nose.
Finish: The fruit does make an appearance here. More menthol too. Medium in length.
Rating: 89
Lovely whisky! Subtle and delicate aromas, but also full of flavour. Highly enjoyable.
