Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition

Scotland, 25 September 2017. Distillery tasting, probably of the 2017 release. Nose: An old musty cereal aroma, reminiscent of a haybarn with a leaky roof. Slightly honeyed and sherried, but primarily a malty nose with grassy overtones. There's quite a distinct grapey top-note that becomes more defined as the whisky rests and develops in the glass. Adding water cripples the nose immediately. [The dry-glass aroma is honey]. Palate: A brisk and almost sour arrival. Cereal and bittersweet malt with hot tannins, hot cinnamon and walnut oil. The texture is oily but astringent. The palate seemed shallow and one dimensional. Finish: Medium. Sour cereal and oak tannin. The aftertaste is strong overbrewed English breakfast tea with a spoon of white sugar. The nose gained interest over time but the palate never became more than awkwardly curious - it seemed to me haphazard and unbalanced with more than just a touch of sulphur. Adding water did nothing to help - it just weakened the overall experience. Whisky is a very subjective thing, as we all know, and in my case I can find little to recommend about this dram - it's just not my sort of whisky. Given the not inconsiderable price it is not one that I'd ever consider buying. Re-tasted from a 30ml sample of the 1998/2015 release in 2019. Re-tasted from a 30ml sample of the 2003/2018 release in 2021. My rating stays the same as from the original. "Adequate" : 74/100 (2.25 stars)

Very smooth initial draw, honey middle mildly peaty and salty finish

Excellent nose. Prevalent fruity flavors, good finish tingle, very tasty.

Drinks by the Dram 2002 bottled 2017 Oloroso Cask Finish - Distillers Edition

Smooth!

Nose: smells like a white wine. Vanilla, oak, apples and hazelnut. Palate: medium body pepper and spicy, brown honey. Too spicy for me...