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Soft, smooth, very convenient - some spices like cardamom or coriander - anyhow not too challenging

We do not want to become a malt snob, do we? Never lose appreciation of a simple but honest classic! Known as 'the honey malt', Dalwhinnie 15 is a great choice for beginners to set out on their whisky journey. Notes of heather, green pears and barley sugar complement the honeyed aroma. After a sweet, rich and full-bodied arrival, spices build up quickly with a mildly dry and bitter edge, but well-measured. The aftertaste is gentle, citric and wood-driven with hints of cinnamon and apple juice. A characterful Highlander which should not be overlooked! RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Tasty, sweet and accessible whisky with character: Has more body than many other 'entry-level whiskys' in this price range.

Honey, citrus, almond, apple and tangerine. Hints of malt, vanilla, subtle spice and a slight floral character. In the finish also some caramel and milk chocolate. A prototype Highlander, pretty straight-forward. Pretty boring perhaps, but very well drinkable.

Rather easy enjoyable and gentle. Delicate flower honey with sugar and vanilla. Bit too easy on the mouth and silky finish

N: heath, honey, floral, citrus, ginger and banana T: oily, perfume, floral, vanilla, liquorice, spices - herbs, honey, malty and citrus F: long, malty, sweet, later some earthy peat and spices -white pepper

2020 Rating

https://whiskylovingpianist.wordpress.com/2019/12/25/blind-challenge-christmas-2019/ Colour: Also gold, slightly richer and murkier than #3 [C] N: More murky than the previous three. Hard to see what that indicates initially. N take 2: After 10 minutes it’s starting to wake up a little so maybe it’s got more age than I’d first anticipated. There certainly appears to be a patient oaky underbelly. It’s all a touch quirky but that dissipates, leading to a more mineral quality. My radar is back to Scotch single malt, Speyside or Highlands, maybe sherry and bourbon cask maturation? T: Ok, we are around the 12-16 age bracket [maybe even 18 if the casks say, are 2nd or 3rd fill]. It speaks of age though it’s the barley spirit that steers, the oak a fine navigator. F: Becomes more murky malty/oaky with only a touch of dunnage action to the tail. C: I’m lost as to what it is. Highland Park perhaps? I think this one will haunt me. Provisionally scores around 85 tops. ROUND 2 I piece together a summary of my guess-work: We are in the 12-16 age bracket [maybe even 18 if the casks are 3rd fill]. My guesses ranged from old Highland Park to Springbank with hints of Balvenie in-between. Frankly I’m puzzled by this one. I’m going to kick myself. [85] ROUND 3 There’s a 25yo in this bunch and this is certainly displaying plenty of maturity. Again, the nose is quiet yet with a soft whispering leathery story to tell certainly. The palate [if short] tells of age as does the dusty [if not that dunnage-y] finish. Then there are those unmistakable oaky sugars at the tail which tell of age more than the previous signs. Given I’ve mistaken the Glenalba as a NAS and #5 as a 10yo, I’m committed to calling this a soft 25yo. Wrong again! Then this must be a 15yo then. I did say between 12-16 in the beginning! REVEALED: What can I say? I never used to like the Dalwhinnie, yet the last 3 times I’ve had it [the last 2 blind], I’ve enjoyed it. C: I’m pleased i initially had this down at 12-16 years but frustrated I failed to spot the main [and, I want to say recognisable, but in the circumstances] character trait – soft-aged bitter/sour lemon-y malt. Forget the Winter’s Gold that is/was often priced higher than the 15yo. Final score: 84 points

Nose:- Thick honey aroma filled up the glass, soothing on nose, layers of chocolate with nut oiliness. Aromatic. Palate:- Clean and laid back. Taste like smoked thin honey water infused with shaved wood and a touch of spice, Finish:- Medium length and warming. Sticky mouthfeel. Easy and muted. — at The Whisky Bar, Kuala Lumpur.

For a long time in the glass again, not spectacular, but without junk notes for the uncomplicated enjoyment in between not wrong.

One of my favorite basics especially in the summer, good and cheap, benefits from some air after opening so I decant it always right after opening

If you're a beginner than this is a perfect whisky.

Tasted directly at the distillery in 2025. Pleasant to drink, but not outstanding. 61-70 – Okay, but not more than 1 dram

On 15.05.21 from 81 to 83/84. A good basic especially in summer, good and cheap, benefits from some air after opening Aroma Honey sweetness, apple, citrus notes, acidity The taste Sweet, sparkling, spicy, herbs Resonance Medium length, sweet, spicy

Nose-80; Taste-80; Finish-80.

Sweet fruity bourbon barrel nose, then a lot of wood but not quite mine.

Solid standard at an attractive price, but for me there are better alternatives, even if I have to pay a slight extra charge for them.

On the nose, almonds, a little wax, cottony side, honeyed, lemony after the deluge of green fruits (apple, undifferentiated pear) In the mouth, it stings, directly, then the green side spring, fruit and grass! In the final, strong smell of alcohol, but it's short! A very good dram that recalls the first tasting experiences, not changed, simple, at its price level!

The honey malt. Gentle, ideal for a first single malt

Quite simply a classic.

Color gold - great standard single malt that every guest gets can offer easily - pleasantly light, strong and unproblematic - for beginners as well as for advanced whisky enthusiasts Lovers always suitable for a good dram - around 35€ always a good investment - can certainly be considered a good, pleasant permanent fixture Whisky selection can be seen at home

(Blind tasting 2018) So I like it very much, my guess: Alk ~ max. 46%, about 2/3 bourbon barrel, 1/3 sherry barrel, age around 17 years?

Nose oozing fir honey, heather and roots. Wheat ears rocked by the wind, tall grass, curly lettuce, with woody reflections, bark, acorns, yellow apples, even mirabelle plums. Chasselas grapes. On the palate, vanilla and pastry cream, some farmhouse touches, hay, smoked straw. Rustic cereals, dry spices, cloves, nutmeg. The finish is short but pleasant, whipped cream, cider, malted barley, millet grains, all sprinkled with lemon pulp, grated ginger, dry earth, pistachio, chestnut. I discovered him when I was a teenager, and I have to say that I never liked him. Today, I have to admit that he has qualities, and even a personality. https://ilikesky2020.blogspot.com/2024/10/dalwhinnie-15-yo.html

Rich, full, characterized by two very different sections: intensely sweet honey that surrounds a center of malt and fruit, all resting on a bed of earth and peat. And `the combination earthiness - sweetness that distinguishes the great whiskys of the Highlands

Honest malt, absolutely average - almost "neutral" - and beginner-friendly. You can't go wrong with the Dalwhinnie 15.

Easily drinkable, he paints with a decent age, round and nothing to complain about

The Dalwhinnie stands for heather, honey, vanilla and sweetness. Very good PLV for a 15yo!

A good basic all-around malt. Nothing grand but no off-notes either. I once tried a comparison between this one and Johnnie Walker Blue Label just to see how that upmarket blend does next to a competently vatted entry level single malt. There was no real competition there as the Dalwhinnie walked all over the Blue Label which is funny considering their price difference.