A late 1980s bottle of Dalwhinnie 15yo, bottled probably just around the time the distillery was first being inducted into the Classic Malts series.

Dalwhinnie was one of the six original Classic Malts when they were selected by United Distillers (now Diageo) back in 1988, and it was tipped to become the favourite among consumers on account of its flawless floral flavours and elegant character. Although eventually pipped at the post by the smoky dark horse that was the Lagavulin 16 year old, it remains a well-loved single malt. The distillery is both the highest and coldest in Scotland, contributing to its unique flavour through the rapid condensing that occurs in its worm tubs.

When United Distillers succeeded DCL, one of their first orders of business was to reclaim control of the distribution of their single malts. In the DCL days, the distilleries had been licensed to the blending companies in their portfolio, Dalwhinnie for example to James Buchanan, and Talisker to John Walker & Sons. The process of cancelling these contracts was quicker for some distilleries than others, so some of the early Classic Malts still bear the names of these former licensees, most notably White Horse Distillers on the Lagavulin 16 year old, but also as shown here.