Dalwhinnie 15 year old is considered by a fair few to be a bit of a lady’s drink, not quite suitable as a man’s dram. Quite how it earned this reputation I do not know, though I would suppose that it is due to a combination of its mild mannered characteristics and the label being just a tad too neat.  That doesn’t mean that any man ordering it in a Scottish pub will get laughed at, though if that is an outcome you fear then I would avoid ordering it in rougher parts of town, perhaps going for a nice pint of Carling instead (even just writing the name made me feel queasy).

Oh! While we’re on the subject of beer, I had a quite interesting Scottish ale called Alba (which just so happens to be Gaelic for Scotland) last night. Definitely worth a try! Apparently it is flavoured with pine and spruce, the result is a quite sweet and woody beer with a very unique flavour. I shall leave that little sidetrack now, though, and return to the Dalwhinnie 15.

I wouldn’t say that this is the most interesting of whiskies – it doesn’t carry with it any real oomph, nothing about it truly stands out. But then, perhaps that is the beauty of it? Perhaps that is precisely what makes it the icon that in many ways it is? I certainly wouldn’t turn one down if I were offered on, nor would I turn my nose up at anyone who holds it close to heart.

As a starter whisky, an everyday dram or one for the guests, it would certainly be an apt choice. The nose is very gentle and caring; I’m getting pears, sultanas, a whisper of smoke, heather & peach honey and cereal.  Well balanced and not at all overwhelming, a pleasant dram to sniff. The palate is quite similar, with the addition of spice, herbs and pepper. There are definitely more interesting whiskies to be found in the same price bracket (£30, $45), but as an easy drinker and enjoyable daily dram it is certainly not bad at all.

Colour: Golden straw.

Nose: Pears, sultanas, whisper of smoke, heather, honey and cereal.

Taste:  Fruity, whisper of smoke, honey, heather, spice, herbs and pepper.

Want to buy this whisky? Available in: UK & Europe (click), USA & World (click)

Here are some related posts that you might want to read:

• Talisker 10 Year Old
• Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old
• Dalmore 12 Year Old
• Glenkinchie 12 Year Old
• Glenfiddich 15 Year Old