Dalwhinnie 2004 Distillers Edition

The Distillers Edition is a series from Diageo in which they offer up their classic malts with a second maturation on a different type of cask. In the case of Dalwhinnie, which is old Gallic for ‘a meeting place’, this is an oloroso sherry cask. This is the release from 2019, so a distillate from 2004. I am putting it head-to-head with a release from two years prior.

The influence of the oloroso cask is significantly less than in the version from 2017 that I just tried. I get much more clear notes from the bourbon casks on which this gentle spirit has held its first winter sleep. I still get some peach, but also some banana and even pineapple. While it is less ‘dark’ than its predecessor, it does remain a very pleasant, albeit somewhat docile, nose.

It is nicely oily and mouth coating again. Clear and light on the palate with again soft notes of yellow fruit joined by some woodspices. Nutmeg and a tad of cloves, drenched in flowery honey.

The finish is surprisingly spicy. I even cannot get the idea of a trace of woodsmoke out of my head.

A very nice variation on the classic 15 years old from the house.

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