Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old Central Highland, 43% vol Appearence: Full gold, old gold Aroma: Light to medium intensity; little complexity (straight) First impression is of orange juice, with some grainy mustard; mead-like, or like concentrated white wine - vin santo. (dilute) Becomes more aromatic and mellow. Scents of daffodils and Weetabix (brand) or even chicken-corn. Some buttery/oily notes, edging towards beeswax. Flavour: Smooth and somewhat waxy; tangy and mouth-drying; easy to drink. The overall flavour is dry with a bitter finish and aftertaste. Some heather flowers. Development: Becomes mulchy and grassy, but holds its flavour well. Price $53.99 The Dalwhinnie Distillery Dalwhinnie, the highest distillery in Scotland stands in an area steeped in history. The placename itself means 'meeting place', where cattle drovers and smugglers met on their way to markets in the south. The distillery was originally named Strathspey when it was established during the whisky boom of the late 1890s by two men from Kingussie. They chose the site for its access to a supply of clear spring water from Lochan-Doire-Uaine, above the snow line, and abundant peat from the surrounding moors. The business was not a great success, however, and in 1905 Dalwhinnie was sold to the largest distilling company in America, Cook & Bernheimer. This gave rise to a great concern within the whisky industry in Scotland, which feared that the Americans might attempt to take over the market. Worries were dispelled by the introduction of prohibition in 1922, and in 1926 the distillery passed into the ownership of the Distillers Company Ltd., which licensed it to James Buchanan & Co. Until 1988/89, the brand was only available locally, but it was chosen by United Distillers for their Classic Malts series, and is now much better known as a result.