Dalwhinnie – 30 Year Old Special Release 2020 (51.9%)

This is a 30 year old single malt from Dalwhinnie, released in the 2020 Special Release series at a cask strength of 51.9%. It was matured entirely in refill American oak hogsheads, all filled in 1989, and 6,978 bottles were filled worldwide. Dalwhinnie is a Highland distillery, the highest in Scotland. Three decades in wood have given the distillery character a measured elegance, and the whisky is soft and sweet with a peppery edge. The nose is sweet and perfumed, with heather, dried herbs, a little butterscotch and fruit sweets, and new pencil-case wood. On the palate it is creamy and gently astringent, with a dry, building pepper warmth. The finish is long and warming.