Dallas Dhu 22 Years Old 1982 Signatory Vintage (43%, Signatory, HH #705, 407 Bottles, 2005)

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Dallas Dhu Distillery
• Bottling: Signatory Cask #407
• ABV: 43%
• Cost: ?

What they say:

Distilled in 1982 at the now closed Dallas Dhu Distillery in Speyside, this has matured for a full 22 years in hogshead #407 before bottling in 2005 at 43% ABV producing 407 bottles

What I say:

Sampled as part of a rarities/oddities tasting, this was our first chance to sample a single malt from the now closed Dallas Dhu distillery which operated from 1899-1983, now run as a museum by Historic Scotland. This whisky was distilled during the last full year of production at Dallas Dhu at a time when the industry was responding to a growing whisky loch and a consumer switch to other spirits. Not only was production severely restricted during this period but many distilleries (including Dallas Dhu) were closed, and many of them for good.

Colour:

Soave wine/light gold (4/20), medium-large tears quick-moving and loose

Nose:

Fruity and rounded, candy fruits, chalky and mineralic, strawberry tart, vanilla cream, malty cereal barley, toffee, freshly mown grass, floral, honey-sweet, banana, pineapple, tinned fruit cocktail

Taste:

Fruity, tinned fruit cocktail, chalky and mineralic but with a distinct honeyed sweetness, banana, pineapple, tropical fruits, coconut cream, vanilla, tarte aux citron and fruity cheesecake, apples, pears, Eve’s pudding, a creamy fizz, like apple and banana milkshake.

Finish:

Medium-long, sweet vanilla, sponge cake

Overall:

Hugely fruity and with a mass of creamy vanilla and coconut from the hogshead maturation. An experience to sample from this now closed distillery, still plenty going on in this whisky despite the delivery at 43%, great quality from Signatory.

Score: 85/100

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