Taste: Dalwhinnie 15 year old

With the forthcoming implementation of average speed cameras along the A9 route, it will be interesting to see the unfolding impact. The road itself can be dangerous mainly because of the lack of overtaking opportunities and the amount of haulage on the road, as it is the main thoroughfare to the Highlands. Cameras won’t alleviate the problem and having spent one afternoon flagging down traffic due to terrible crash on a section of the road for an air ambulance to land, I can appreciate its dangers and the actions of drivers more than most.

So you’re thinking that does this have to do with the lovely light and floral whisky from Diageo’s Dalwhinnie distillery? Well, on a road of immense scenic beauty the distillery represents a highlight and often marks a midway point. Whether it is the trek further north towards Inverness or turning off heading towards the Isle of Skye. The distillery offers visitors and drivers the opportunity to park up, relax and escape the nuisance of the A9 for a few moments. I’m thinking that when these cameras are unleashed, drivers may just turn off for that break; after all being stuck in a convoy behind a lorry or caravan is never fun and it’s only going to get worse. After all, its name does translate as the meeting place.

Dalwhinnie itself is often overlooked but like its setting maintains a dignified presence. I was never a huge fan of their distillers edition with a tagged on finish trying to justify a price hike. I find the characteristics of Dalwhinnie work best when not tampered with; left in the cask to mature at its own pace. The core single malt has been aged for 15 years and this is the one you’ll see most often with the odd inclusion in Diageo’s annual Special Releases.

An obvious omission online here as I’ve enjoyed a few drams of this, it was time with my latest passing visit to refresh my memory, so here we go.

Distillery: Dalwhinnie

Age: 15 years old

Strength: 43%

Price: around £33 but I have seen it for under £30 on special

Colour: honey

Aroma:  golden syrup, floral notes that dissolve into heather, Tizer fizzy drink and pineapple.

Taste:  vanilla, butterscotch, ginger,  wood influence from the cask with a toasted oats on the finish and a touch of pepper.

This is a nice, inoffensive and pleasant whisky. An example I can recommend if someone is only just starting out on their whisky journey.