1974 Murray McDavid Mission Selection No.3 Dallas Dhu 29 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.

The Dallas Dhu distillery is, surprisingly, yet to be dismantled despite the fact that nothing has been produced there since 1983. There are rumours that it will be restarted - no doubt some canny investors will jump in to re-invigorate the mothballed facility any day now! Currently it's a museum run by the Historic Scotland Society. This rare release from independent bottlers, Murray McDavid is from an outturn of 498 bottles released at 46% Alc./Vol. Curiously, it bears the signature of Jim McEwan, today well known as one of Scotland's top Master Distillers, although it's not clear whether he distilled it or just picked the cask. Very rare and obviously, very collectable.

Other reviews... We’ve had a very good 1979 by MMcD quite some years ago – a high quality that rather surprised me since it had met some St Joseph (but that was some white St Jo, which is undoubtedly better than any red in these context and purpose). Anyway, this one should be all natural… Oh and I’ve completely forgotten about any characteristics of Dallas Dhu I’m afraid, and yet I’m not that old! Colour: golden amber. Nose: oh I seem to remember, toasted nuts and some sootiness, no? Roasted pecans, a touch of propolis and other high-character waxes, some soot indeed, perhaps some rusty old tools (at the distiller, haha), herbal teas (and patchouli), some grass smoke, old clothes in an old wardrobe (in an old attic), those kinds of things. Some old LPs, magazines, books… We’re almost in an antique shop. Mouth: a style that disappeared in the late 1980s, very globally. There are old nuts, some cardboard, touches of Bovril, some kind of salty honey (sauces), bitter oranges, chlorophyll, black tea… And shall we use the U-word? That’s right, umami? Finish: medium, salty, meaty, with a little coffee and some sappy honeydew. The aftertaste is almost all on chicken bouillon, with sweeter sauce. Something Thai? Comments: saying that this is unusual would be an understatement. In truth, the nearest contemporary malt would be sherried Benromach, I would say. Something a little, say fusty indeed, but certainly not in a bad way. 87 points - whiskyfun.com