The Dalwhinnie distillery was purpose-built in 1897, the distillery was first called Strathspey. Perhaps looking to distinguish their already distinctive whisky, the owners soon changed the name to Dalwhinnie when production started in 1898. It means “Plain of Meetings” in Gaelic, a reference to the location at a junction of old drove roads, between two mountain ranges. Though beautiful and ancient, the site is not without its drawbacks: a fire in 1934 caused a four year closure, with rebuilding hampered by bitterly cold winters and twenty foot snow drifts.
Dalwhinnie distillery is the highest and coldest working distillery in Scotland, with water from a loch at 2000 feet, Dalwhinnie whisky thrives on extreme conditions – creating a liquid as sweet and accessible as its highland home is remote.
Tasting Note
Nose - A big, crisp, dry and very aromatic nose with hints of heather and peat.
Palate - Smooth, soft and lasting flavours of heather-honey sweetness and vanilla followed by deeper citrus-fruit flavours and hints of malted bread.
Finish - Long, lingering, surprisingly intense finish that starts sweetly, then gives way to smoke, peat and malt.