Dalwhinnie

Introduction:

Nestled in the breathtaking Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands, Dalwhinnie Distillery is known for producing a range of official bottlings. The signature expression is the Dalwhinnie 15-year-old Single Malt, which showcases the distillery’s characteristic style. Additionally, Dalwhinnie produces a 20-year-old and a 36-year-old expression, along with other Distillers Editions. The majority of the Single Malt produced at Dalwhinnie is used in the Diageo-owned Buchanan and Black & White blends. Independent bottlings from Dalwhinnie are rare, with most releases being official bottlings.

Production:

Being one of the highest distilleries in Scotland, Dalwhinnie benefits from a unique water source. The Allt an T’Sluic Spring, which supplies water for the distillery’s production, is exceptionally clear and fresh. The water originates from snow melt, resulting in its pristine quality. There has been debate over whether Dalwhinnie should be classified as a Speyside Whisky due to the spring’s connection to the River Spey. However, the distillery’s location in the Western Highlands, at the heart of Scotland geographically, gives rise to conflicting opinions on its regional classification. Dalwhinnie has a relatively small production capacity of 1.3 million liters of pure alcohol per year. Notably, the distillery still employs wooden worm tubs, which are becoming increasingly uncommon as most distilleries have transitioned to metal tubs or abandoned their use entirely.

Pot Stills:

Dalwhinnie operates with a single wash still with a capacity of 17,000 liters and a single spirit still with a capacity of 14,000 liters. Both stills are crafted by Abercrombie & Co and feature a traditional shape with a large bulbous base and a gradually narrowing neck. The tall neck of the pot still allows for excellent separation and produces a finely distilled spirit with desirable characteristics.

Malting:

Until 1968, Dalwhinnie conducted its own floor maltings. Presently, the distillery sources its malt from one of Diageo’s industrial malting sites. The malt used at Dalwhinnie is lightly peated, offering a subtle smoky flavor. The distillers attribute a hint of heather flavor to the presence of heather surrounding the distillery site.

Warehouse:

Dalwhinnie’s distillery includes two racked warehouses capable of storing over 5,000 casks for maturation. The predominant cask type used at Dalwhinnie is Bourbon, while certain expressions, such as the Distillers Edition, are aged in Oloroso Sherry casks.

History:

Dalwhinnie’s location and history contribute to its unique character. The distillery, situated as one of the highest in Scotland, has also served as a working meteorological station, recording daily weather readings. Its isolation and high altitude enable Dalwhinnie to be self-contained during periods of heavy snowfall, with an on-site hostel providing accommodation for staff.

Dalwhinnie, meaning “meeting place” in Gaelic, reflects its central location. The distillery was initially established in 1897 as the Strathspey Distillery Company but faced financial difficulties and changed hands within a year, leading to a name change to Dalwhinnie Distillery Company. Despite challenges, the distillery continued operations, with architect Charles Doig contributing to its expansion, including the iconic pagoda-shaped roof. In the first half of the 20th century, Dalwhinnie changed ownership twice, briefly becoming the first foreign-owned Scotch distillery when owned by the American company Cook & Bernheimer. A fire in 1934 devastatedthe distillery, resulting in a four-year halt in production while the site was rebuilt. After the reconstruction was completed in 1938, the distillery faced further closure from 1940 to 1945 due to wartime barley restrictions. Since 1940, Dalwhinnie has consistently produced whisky, except for a brief refurbishment period in 1986.

Today, Dalwhinnie is owned by Diageo and is included in the company’s Classic Malts range. The brand has received critical acclaim, with its 15-year-old and Distillers Edition expressions being awarded Monde Selection Gold Medals.

Visitor Centre:

Dalwhinnie’s visitor centre opened in 1992 as part of a £3.2 million refurbishment of the distillery. The centre features a shop and café, providing a warm welcome to visitors. Guided tours of the distillery facility are available, offering insights into the whisky-making process. Dalwhinnie also offers a popular “Whisky and Chocolate” tour, allowing guests to experience the pairing of whisky and chocolate flavors and how they complement each other.

Visitor information:

The Dalwhinnie Distillery
Dalwhinnie
Inverness-shire
PH19 1AA
Tel: +44 (0)1540-672219
Email: dalwhinnie.distillery@diageo.com