DYC 10 year old Single Malt
When you associate Spain with alcoholic drinks what comes to mind? Sangria, Sherry, Cerveza? I'd say those trio are the staples along with poolside cocktails. Those cocktails may include something of the whisky variety....old fashioneds, manhattans, mules and will more than likely have a base of something American, Irish or Scotch.
Spain is not a place we would associate with whisky production per se but since 1958 whisky has been produced in Segovia around 1.5 hrs north of Madrid at the Destilerias Y Crianza. Originally a liqueur distillery, the founder Nicomedes Garcia visited Scotland in 1919 and returned with the idea of opening a whisky distillery in Spain.
Due to a tumultuous political environment in the 1920's and 30's the whisky distillery dream wasn't realised and wouldn't be until 1958 when the DYC distillery was founded. 30 years after visiting Scotland for the first time, Nicomedes dream of a Spanish whiskey distillery was realised and the first distillation produced 800,000 litres of spirit, filling 4,000 barrels. By 1963 the first DYC whisky was launched in Spain. By 1974 a new 8 year old blended expression joined the roster.
Fast forward to 2007 and the DYC Pure Malt was launched followed in 2010 by the expression being reviewed today, the 10 year old single malt, matured exclusively in American oak barrels. The 10 year old now seems to have been replaced by the 15 year old expression that was released in 2019.
The distillery itself is located in the 15th Century Molina del Arco mansion some 1,036m above sea level in the Palazuelos de Eresma. The distillery boasts it's own malting facility, 6 pot stills and a grain whisky production facility along with 34 warehouses capable of holding 200,000 barrels.
The dram under the microscope today as highlighted earlier is the 10 year old single malt. Double distilled, aged for at least 10 years in ex-American oak casks and bottled at 40% abv it retailed for around £15 a bottle. Frankly absurd pricing for a 10 year old single malt, the 15 year old is available for around £27 a bottle!
Let's taste.
Nose: Sweet and fruity. Peach, apple, malt and honey. Vanilla, lemon zest, oak and a light wisp of new leather.
Palate: Body wise this isn’t at all bad for 40% abv. Light and fruity, malt forward, spiced honey, apples and peaches along with toasted oak. Vanilla and just a touch of sultana.
Finish: Short with spiced honey, malt and orchard fruit.
Score: 6 out of 10
Overall: For the asking price of £15 there is absolutely no complaint here at all. Due to its really rather incredible value for money it manages to score a 6 even though it is a very simple and straight forward whisky. But it’s balanced between nose and palate and is an easy summer sipper. I’m sure it’s pretty good in a highball too.
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