Dalwhinnie 15 [Re-Review][Mystery Review]

Hi all! It’s mystery scotch time!

So I know this is a Scotch. That’s for certain. I know that it came from /u/LecheConCarnie. I know it came from a bottle that has been opened for 9 years. So that means… I’m not going to guess this easily.

Alright, so maybe I should go through my thought process on guessing this one.

Price: $92.95 (CAD) at the LCBO

Region: Highland

Abv: 43%

Colour: 2/5Y 8/8

Alright, it’s a light yellow colour (see image above). Guessing that means no sherry influence, or very minimal sherry influence

Nose: Lemon, vanilla, oak, smoke, apple, butter, floral, grass

Not an Islay. The smoke is too light. I’d say Speyside. Yay, I narrowed it down to the largest region.

No sherry influence, so it’s ex-bourbon cask. Narrowed it down again to 90% of all Scotches.

Taste: Caramel, lemon, rosemary, ginger, cinnamon, tangerine

Tasty. Like the spices in it. May have oxidized a little though. Reminds me of Glenrothes, yet doesn’t taste bad, so it’s not the select reserve.

Might be Balblair. I’ve never had one of them.

Finish: Smoke, anise, pepper, melon, orange, pear juice, apple

Don’t think it’s a Glenrothes anymore, it’s too smokey. There’s a little bit of peat in here, I think. Quite fruity as well.

Conclusion: Nice dram. Not too complex, yet had some interesting notes. It’s around 40-43% I think, based on the mouthfeel and the light notes.

I’m kinda at a loss to figure it out. Until the smoke, I thought it might be Balblair or Glenrothes. Now… Maybe a nice blend? It was unique yet not strong, and had some different notes. So maybe it’s a little older?

The oxidization could be throwing me off too. Yes, let’s go with that.

Guess: Famous Grouse 18.

Actually: Dalwhinnie 15 (with some oxidization)

76/100

Scotch review #318, Highland Review #53, Whisky Network Review #473

101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die re-review