I didn't see this one coming at all. Not only did my wife give me a Highland Park 15 and 18 for our anniversary, but she through in a Dalwhinnie 15 just for fun!



When I spoke to my aunt from Scotland a year ago about "getting into whisky", she gave me a small list of names to try. She said they were tried-and-true and wouldn't let me down. They were whiskies that everyone should try. The "basics" I guess you could call them. Among those names was Dalwhinnie.





As per Master of Malt:

Nose: Aromatic, toffee, fruit salad, lush nectarine, custard. Floral, apple blossom, honeysuckle. Apple peels, pear, touch of smoke.

Palate: Malty. Walnuts steeped in manuka honey with vanilla sponge. Gentle smoke weaves its way through the cereal with a touch of spice.

Finish: Long, malty, walnut, almond.

It's good stuff, but not my favorite. It is a very clean and well-refined whisky. My aunt was right in respect that it's a safe bet. It's a good drink for those that aren't looking to be overwhelmed. If you just need a whisky, this'll do it for you. If you like whisky, you'll like this. It's probably safe to say that even if you're not a huge whisky drinker, you could drink it. It's no Glenfiddich, and it's no Highland Park, but it'll get the job done.