My thanks to Alan Jamieson for permission to use this  photo

Dalwhinnie distillery is located in Dalwhinnie, Inverness-shire and is generally acknowledged as a Highland distillery, although some have been known to argue it being a Spexside one.

Dalwhinnie was founded in 1897 by the Strathspey Distillery Co. Ltd but was renamed to Dalwhinnie in 1898.

Ownership transferred to Cook & Bernheimer in 1905, then to Sir James Calder of MacDonald Greenlees & Williams in 1919.

MacDonald Greenlees were taken over by DCL in 1926, but then became SMD in 1930.

Dalwhinnie was closed in 1934, reopened in 1938, the maltings decommissioned in 1968 and then the distillery underwent a full renovation in 1986 before being transferred to UDV and joining their "Classic Malts" range in 1987.

Further refurbishment saw the distillery closed between 1992-5 and it remains under the ownership of UDV (Diageo) today.

More great distillery info here, thanks to Malt Madness

General whisky characteristics: Smooth, velvet, aromatic grasses and honey

Dalwhinnie, 15y, 43% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Nose: An aromatic mixture comprising dried barley and hay interspersed with lavender and violets.

Palate: An initially smooth and velvety feel which grows into a spicy bruschetta with a slightly bitter finish.

With 3 drops of water: Both the nose and palate are weakened without any extra dimensions being added.

Overall Impression: A good everyday malt, but keep it neat without water.

Dalwhinnie, Managers Choice, 1992-2009, 51% ABV

Cask No. 431, bottle No. 162 of only 270

Refill American Oak cask

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Bugatti Kelch

Colour: Light, 9 carat gold

Nose: Slight citrus over freshly sawn wood, with hints of stollen (light German Christmas cake featuring gentle fruits and marzipan).

Palate: Quite fierce with dry citrus, this needs water.

With 5 drops of water: Much smoother with fruit and citrus. Initially dry but with a sweeter finish.

Finish: Long and sweet with water.

Overall Impression: Quite a fresh (Summer) whisky with lots of citrus and light fruit. (I'm still shocked at the price!)

Dalwhinnie, Distillery Cask, distilled 1991, Cask Strength

Cask No. 3819

Sampled in warehouse, not available for sale

Glass: Dalwhinnie distillery glass

Colour: Yellow gold

Nose: Very creamy and nutty with some delightful background flora. Even at CS direct from the cask it isn't screaming alcohol. Very pleasant indeed.

Palate: A slight vanilla presence alongside nuttiness and all interspersed with gentle honey and flora.

Finish: Long and creamy

Overall Impression: A very good, most enjoyable whisky, especially in its native warehouse habitat!