Dalwhinnie in Gaelic is translated as a “meeting plaine” a gesture and indication of the excellent central location of the distillery and the highest distillery of the highland whiskies. And using the water from na Doire-uaine meaning the “Loch of the green thicket”, A loch of rainwater and snowmelt collected in a dip high in the Drumochter hills, adding its very own uniqueness to whiskies distilled there, sweet, smooth and smokey.

The Strathspey Distillery Company established the distillery in 1897 and Initially functioned under the name "Strathspey". Less than a year later, however, the company went into liquidation and the name of the distillery was changed accordingly when it became a member of the Dalwhinnie Distillery Company.

Dalwhinnie distillery changed hands two times in the first half of the 20th century and was momentarily possessed by an American company, Cook & Bernheimer. This made it the first Scottish whisky distillery to be owned by foreigners. In 1934, a fire ruined most of the distillery and production had to be suspended for four years while the site was being reconstructed. After rebuilding was finished in 1938, the distillery had to remain shut until 1940 as a result of war restrictions on barley. The distillery has been producing whisky almost continuously since 1940, with the exception of a brief period in 1986 when the distillery underwent a complete renovation.

Dalwhinnie works with just a solitary wash still at 17,000 litres and single 14,000-liter alcohol. Both stills are made by Abercrombie & Co and are "conventional" in style with a large bulbous base and a progressively narrow neck. The neck of the pot still is very high. This allows the whisky to separate very well and the result is a very fine distilled drink.

Dalwhinnie utilized its own floor maltings until they were closed down in 1968. Today Dalwhinnie procures malt from one of Diageo's industrial malt houses. The malt is lightly peated, but just enough to add a touch of smoky flavour. In addition, the malt has a hint of heather in its flavour the distiller claims, is a result of the heather encircling the place.

In 1992, the distillery opened its visitor Centre as part of a $ 3.2 million distillery renovation and includes a boutique and café. It is also possible to take a 45-minute tour of the distillery. The distillery offers the applauded "Whisky and Chocolate" circuit where you can enjoy chocolate and whisky side by side and discern how they suit each other.

Dalwhinnie has become renowned throughout the planet for being promoted by its owners, United Distillers, under the Classic Malts brand, established in 1988. Even so, only 10% of production is marketed as single malt, the remaining is sold for blending to be used in black and white blends.