Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold promises winter in the glass
The new single malt whisky from the Highland Distillery Dalwhinnie was destilled in winter
Announcing the new single malt whisky Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold Diageo strikes a new path: the company recommends serving this malt frozen!
Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold is produced in the freezing cold
The temperatures Dalwhinnie has to stand in wintertime, being the highest distillery in Scotland, go easily down to degrees below zero. If you have visited the Highland distillery in the heart of the Cairngorms you may bear in mind the big wooden worm tubs that are used for cooling down the distillate. They are situated outside the building and therefor it is sure: the deeper the temperatures of the winter air, the deeper the temperatures of the cooling water in the worm tubs. And that is the reason for the uniqueness of the Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold, according to Diageo: In wintertime the distillate cools down much quicker than in summer and therefor it reacts much less with the copper of the cooling coils. And this, so Diageo says, has effects on the aroma of the Whisky.
Diageo recommends enjoying it ice-cold
To create the Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold Master Blender Dr. Craig Wilson chooses only those casks in which Dalwhinnie Whisky matures that was distilled in winter. As mentioned before Dalwhinnie recommends to serve the Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold ice-cold in an ice-cold tumbler (pure, not with ice cubes!) and to worm it gradually in your mouth. The new single malt is announced to come to sale in September.
Official tasting notes of the Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold
Colour: Deep gold; almost polished bronze.
Nose: Broad, firm, smooth and clean, yet with a compelling, sweet, honeyed, dessert character that suggests the indulgence to come. An ever-present fragrant and smooth waxiness underscores higher glimpses of fruit, suggesting a caramel tart on a smear of sharp apricot coulis, or sweet short crust pastry offset by orange zest. There’s also a menthol freshness and a modest, smoky note.
Palate: Smoothly honeyed, sweet, comforting and rich textured with a balancing ripe autumn-fruit tartness. Growing spicy, with gingerbread; then denser with rich malt loaf, suggestions of molasses and mint; and later soft, distant smoke. Delicious just as it is: water may be added if desired, but adds little.
Finish: Exquisitely heart-warming: lingering and comforting with a pleasingly chey conclusion. Smooth and unctuous with sweet malt, raisins and dark chocolate. Growing lightly aromatic, too, with hints of dates and sandalwood.
Credits Photo: Diageo
