A delicious, finely balanced and supple old Dalwhinnie with a depth of flavour that repays thoughtful appreciation, this expression is both more rounded than younger siblings and takes a spicier view of life, too.

APPEARANCE

Deep gold, with copper lights. Good beading.

BODY

Medium to full.

NOSE

A mild nose overall, with a slight prickle. The top notes are vegetal and faintly smoky, as with a snuffed candle, almost suggesting a Halloween pumpkin lantern; the overall impression is savoury, with a light sweetness suggesting moorland heather pollen. The base notes are of spicy fresh-planed wood, which if a drop of water is added becomes light balsa wood. Much sweeter at first after this, with a tangy, fruity note of pickled ginger.

PALATE

At natural strength, big, creamy-smooth and mouth-filling in texture, with a richly sweet, waxy initial taste and spicy, with a touch of salt and an appealing, gradually building peppery warmth that carries on into the finish. When slightly reduced, the taste remains the same when a good drop of water is added, becoming a sweet, smoothly balanced whole that is delicious to drink.

FINISH

Long and spicily warming, leaving the tongue-tingling and a pleasantly earthy aftertaste. A little water lengthens the finish and reduces the spiciness.