DYC 12 YO Spanish single malt whisky

DYC 12 YO Spanish single malt whisky, 65,9 %

This is my first ever Spanish single malt. Exciting times! We found this whisky at Danish independent bottler Noorbohandelen in Copenhagen. This is a single cask release from the Spanish Distilerias y Crianza del Whisky (DYC) distillery. The distillery is today owned by Beam Suntory.

DYC was established in 1958, and started production in 1959, using traditional copper pot stills. In 1963 they launched their Whisky DYC, a 3 YO inexpensive whisky. This is a product they still sell, and it is said to be quite popular in Spain. The annual production capacity at DYC is 10 million liters, so this is a big distillery!

The DYC 12 YO Spanish single malt is only available to buy at Noorbohandelen at DKK 715 for a full bottle. You can also buy smaller bottles.

Nose (22/25): Soft and fruity, there's no attack here - it is a very dignified, almost formal, greeting. Vanilla, cinnamon, sweet licorice, and soft wood spices. There is no information on type of cask, but I am guessing a refill sherry cask based on the nose here. It is quite elegant, really.

Taste (21/25): Warm, rich and full-on. The high ABV does play a part in this, of course. Add water at your own discretion. Honey, apples, ginger and white pepper. It is in other words still fruity, spicy and quite sweet - but more outspoken to taste than it was on the nose.

Finish (20/25): Spicy and warm with good length. A bit of dry-ish oak towards the end, together with a slight metallic touch.

Balance (21/25): A fine whisky, for sure. I will have to seek out the official bottlings from DYC. This needs further examination!

Score (84/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas