Dalwhinnie 15 years

Score: 65

Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old, bottled at 43% ABV, earned a well-deserved 3rd place in its tasting, quietly charming its way into the upper ranks. Often described as “The Gentle Spirit”, this Highland single malt lives up to the name, distilled at one of Scotland’s highest and coldest distilleries, it offers a beautifully balanced dram that’s both approachable and quietly complex. It’s not just admired, it’s a proven crowd-pleaser, having taken top honours in a club tasting playoff against the bold Laphroaig Quarter Cask and the elegant Glen Grant 10 Year. That win speaks volumes about its versatility and appeal. On the nose, Dalwhinnie 15 greets you with soft honey, heather, and floral notes, backed by subtle fruit, think green apple and pear, with a whisper of citrus zest. The palate is silky and layered: honeyed sweetness, dried stone fruits, vanilla, and gentle spice glide across the tongue. There’s a touch of smoke, just enough to add depth without overpowering. The finish is long and malty, with hints of almond and walnut lingering like a warm memory. It’s a whisky that doesn’t shout, it converses. And in a lineup of louder, more assertive drams, Dalwhinnie 15 held its own with grace, proving that subtlety can be just as compelling.