Dalwhinnie 1986

If you take the A9 road through Scotland, eventually you will reach the heights of Dalwhinnie and its perfectly perched distillery. The name itself is Gaelic for ‘meeting place’ and historically would be a vital cog in trade flowing south and north. Founded in 1897 by a trio of owners, their new distillery is called Strathspey, before financial troubles prompt a change in ownership and the name that we know it by, today. A visitor centre opened in 1991 and it remains a popular stopping off point with a well-stocked distillery shop. The buildings themselves are worth touring as the distillery is relatively unscathed apart from a fire in 1934 and worm tubs remain in use. Dalwhinnie also enjoys a very visible single malt presence thanks to its role in the Classic Malts series since 1987. Various special editions have been released since, but the main staple remains the 15 year old.