Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition REVIEW: BETTER than the 15? 

Forward to 2023, sadly, recent DE are now mostly done in "seasoned" casks (Dalw, Craggan, . . . ex: Talisker in Amoroso s-e-a-s-o-n-e-d casks), not original cask - nor matured/maturing casks. ALl prices were marked dup 20-30% in Ontario in the last 3 mo, now facing ANOTHER +6.3% new tax on APril 1. -------- As representative of HIGHLAND, Dalw offers nothing special at 135$CA (sure beats the 180$CA Oban DE ! !). Great review + very sensitive recomendation.

For the record, I tend to like those 'yellow' notes. Of course I love tar-black well aged Sherry bombs, but give me something with an overwhelming degree of lemon? Love it! The Clynelish DE which is incredibly difficult to get in my locale packed it all, oranges, lemons, limes. Mmmm!!

I love the Dalwhinnie heathery peat. Very floral. I feel like the distillery gets bashed a lot after people move on from intro whiskies but I've returned to it a time or two and have always thoroughly enjoyed. Not flexing, but I'm in a privileged position that's afforded me the opportunity to have a lot of incredible whiskies, and I still consider the 15 to be a good one, certainly well above average, despite the ABV. I haven't had the DE but it's on my radar.

Never tried this but sounds similar to the Glenkinchie DE and possibly Glen Elgin (?) - it might be good to compare and contrast with these two other very affordable bottles.

Hello, Geoff. I very much appreciate your reviews. I don’t have endless amounts of shekels to spend on this hobby, so I try to be judicious in where and how I use it. Such reviews are helpful. My experience with Dalwhinnie 15 was that is was notable unremarkable. Subtle or insipid? Not sure. Perhaps my palate can’t discern what keeps keeps people buying it. It was too smooth - so much so that I could readily drink it for breakfast without feeling guilty. I’m delighted that, according to your judgment, Dalwhinnie has upped its game with this, but upping its price for the promise of something better leaves me a bit gun shy after the first experience. An underwhelming core product can leave customers or passers by rather circumspect. Not a criticism, just a suggestion: I’d appreciate your reviews even more without the infernal background noise.

( Glenfarclas, of course, also a 'Highland Scotch Whisky' )

I just don’t get why they wouldn’t up the Ante on these DE’s. They could be so much better if they didn’t chill filter and up’d the ABV. The best DE is the Talisker DE.

The quality of the Dalwhinnie 15 has declined shamefully, but not surprisingly over the years (thanks Diageo). Like you, and a lot of other whisky lovers, the 15 never excited me. I have had a couple of distillers editions (2015 and 2017 and bottlings). You have described it perfectly. It is always consistent, easy drinking and one of those "calibration" whisky's that you can drink without furrowing your brows or being surprised. I do like the grain forward profile of Dalwhinnie. Goes well with cookies and pies. Compared to a few other distillers editions, it falls short of expectations. The Lagavulin Distillers edition as you mentioned is really nice especially the 2002 edition. The Talisker and Caol Ila can also be quite good. Great review as usual. Just the right information coupled with honest opinions. At a time when youtube is inundated with whisky review channels, your reviews have managed to form its niche. Cheers amigo!