Whisky: Dalwhinnie 30 Year (1989), Diageo Special Release 2020

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 51.9%

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Age: 30 Year (Distilled 1989, Bottled 2020)

Nose: Mellow and restrained with fruit, malty sugars, and faint maritime notes. A bounty of oranges, apricots, clementines, and marmalade faded toward fruit-scented sunscreen and a light beach breeze. Pastries came to mind, apple turnovers mainly, with apple, sugar icing, and malty sugars.

Palate: Mellow and delicate with an initial citrus tang, honey, and orchard fruit. Tang tropical blast came to mind as a bright sugar-fruit note hit the palate, quickly fading to apple sauce, macerated apple skins, and quince jam. A mellow astringency toward the end with hints of peach, peach ring candies, and dry white wine.

Finish: Long finish with tropical citrus and slight astringency.

Score: 6

Mental Image: Apples on Vacation

Notes: My expectations coming into this dram were pretty low. While I think Dalwhinnie is a fine whisky and a great gateway into the world of single malts, I did not expect much on this dram. The profile was lovely and mellow with a delicious tropical aroma and an orchard fruit-dominated palate. While I found the whisky enjoyable, especially its long finish, the price tag is bound to cause a heart attack.

I am incredibly grateful to the friend who shared a few pours. I imagined this generally straightforward profile would be perfectly refreshing for summer days and sunshine. To that extent, it reminded me of Glenlossie, though a notch or two less citrus.

Overall, my first experience sitting down to review a Dalwhinnie was lovely. The nose promised tropical delights, but the palate left me lost in an apple orchard. I hear the 2019 release was similar but more tropical on the palate, which sounds like an improvement. I enjoyed this, but it did not leave my questing for more.  

Image Credit: The Whisky Exchange