Stop number 52 on the SDT is Dalwhinnie. This Highland single malt is one of the 6 Classic Malts of Scotland, and the last one that I have tried. Bottled at 43% ABV, and as most, if not all, Diageo products, it is chill filtered and has colorant added making it a yellow gold in color.
The nose is thick with honey and malted barley. Quite fruity with apples, oranges, pears, raisins and a faint hint of dried cranberries. Quite sweet smelling. A very light mint/menthol note and light green oak. A little wood spice, cinnamon or ginger, vanilla. Plum and apricot jam. A touch floral, think heather honey. A little salty, seashells and a general minerality to it. Some sherry like sweetness, although I’m not sure if there are any sherry casks at work here. Overall light, but well put together.
A light arrival on the palate, then an explosion of flavor. Bitter fruits like orange peel, lemon peel, apple skins and bitter nuts. Think that thin skin on walnuts if it gets stuck in your gums and you have to use your tongue to get it out and all that bitterness that’s involved. Heather honey, malty, black tea, vanilla and oak.
Medium bodied mouthfeel, creamy and mouthwatering but turns dry.
A long and bitter finish. Walnuts, orange peel, honey and tea.
This is at the same time what I expected and not what I expected. The nose was typical Highland/Speyside, but the palate surprised me with its power, especially at only 43%. The bitterness in the finish really hurt this one in my opinion. It would have been a 4, but the finish drops it to 3.75.
Having now had all of the Classic Malts I would rank them thusly (and this is just my opinion): 1) Talisker 10, 2) Lagavulin 16, 3) Oban 14, 4) Cragganmore 12, 5) Glenkinchie 12, 6) Dalwhinnie 15. Now before you roast me over the fire for taking Talisker over Lagavulin please know that those two were neck and neck. I just find the Talisker to be better balanced and more approachable. Thanks to
@Scott_E for the sample.
Cheers