It’s time for a bit more expensive (read: a lot more epensive) dram from this year’s 2019 SR a Dalwhinnie. This one was matured in a combination of refill hogsheads and butts. a 30 year old, must have the nice woody polished oak notes, right? Well, actually it does.
Dalwhinnie 30 Year Old (Special Release 2019) , 54.7% , £499.95 (MOM)
Nose: starting sweet with green grape sweetness, and polished oak, vanilla and baked apples, a floral touch, hay and more wood with lemony citrus touches and even more polished oak.
Palate : lovely wood spices, waxy and deep, with quite some polished wood, spicy pepper, buttered oven cooked apple, cinnamon, ginger and caramel biscuits and a touch of mint and more grass.
Finish : oak, spices mainly on cinnamon, ginger and orange peel.
Conclusion: I was pleasantly surprised by this dram. It is much better than the 25 year old expressions released in the 2015 SR (reviewed here) , and I am loving the polished oak spice and waxy profile. A tad expensive indeed, but quality wise it’s top stuff.
Score : 89/100
Available on the MOM online shop ( £499.95 )