Dunphail Distillery launches new independent bottler – The Dava Way
Under construction Speyside distillery reveals inaugural release of four single cask, single malt Scotch whiskies
Dunphail today announced the upcoming launch of The Dava Way – the distillery’s new independent bottling operation. Named after the Great Scottish Trail that follows the path of the former Highlands Railway, passing close to Dunphail Distillery, The Dava Way looks to explore the remarkable individuality of whisky – at a price which is fair to consumers.
Led by Dunphail’s Director of Whisky Creation and Outreach Matt McKay, The Dava Way has conscientiously sourced an array of thought-provoking casks that celebrate both flavour and uniqueness. These will be delivered to consumers as transparently as possible – free from any artifice, colour or chill filtration.
Releases will follow a monthly cycle, commencing in October 2022, when the four inaugural bottlings will be showcased at The London Whisky Show taking place at Old Billingsgate Market. Releases will initially be offered via Dunphail Distillery’s website and distillery shop (due to open later in 2022) and will be available to be shipped to customers in most countries.
The first release from The Dava Way’s consists of four single cask, single malt Scotch whiskies – a 17 year old hogshead from an Orkney Distillery, a 13 year old recharred hogshead from Glen Elgin, a 12 year old hogshead from Benrinnes and a 13 year old Cognac butt from Dailuaine.
Speaking of the launch Matt McKay said: “Whilst the whisky world is far from short of new independent bottlers, a number are either bottling cask-to-cask using 3rd parties or are in our view placing profit over and above profile and personality. The Dava Way will take a different approach. We will be utilising the warehousing and production facilities at Dunphail to actively guide and shape the maturation and character of our whiskies and will likewise be pricing our releases for drinking, not as collectibles. The Dava Way has been entirely conceived and developed as a project borne of passion – a love for sharing the incredible diversity that is possible when spirit meets wood. Alongside my role defining and developing Dunphail’s wood policy and eventual single malt profiles, I am delighted to also now be sharing this broader, ongoing expedition into the individuality of whisky.”
Dunphail Distillery Founder and Master Distiller Dariusz Plazewski added: “Dunphail will not be producing any Scottish gins or vodkas – even over the next three years as our initial spirit matures. We are a 100% traditional whisky distillery and as such, launching The Dava Way fits perfectly within that philosophy, The combination of Dunphail’s unique micro-climate, which is perfect for the maturation of whisky, coupled with Matt’s passion, knowledge and palate provides us with a complete package. We will be able to support the ongoing development of our distillery and also provide whisky enthusiasts with additional captivating releases that exemplify whisky excellence.”
The Speyside-based distillery is currently under construction and is due to be completed in Q1 2023. The 200,000 LPA capacity site is being converted from an existing farm steading and is aiming to shift the perceptions of what Scotch whisky can be. Adopting a single-minded approach to its production, Dunphail will feature the full range of time-honoured processes such as 100% on-site floor malting, traditional kilning, long fermentations and directly fired stills. Founder’s Club Memberships and a private cask programme are both currently available for purchase.
The Dava Way – Release No. 1
An Orkney Distillery 2005
17 year old
Drawn from a single hogshead
Nose: Immediately coastal with hewn rocks, sea breeze and prominent heathery peat smoke. Vegetal notes of leaf mulch, clay and putty follow, supported by sweeter aromas of honey and cooking apples.
Palate: An oily mouthfeel delivers a fulsome island smoke consisting of bonfire ash, sack cloth, preserved lemon, hillside flowers and limestone cliffs.
Finish: Lingering heather-imbued smoke, herbal teas and coastal minerality.
300 bottles
70cl
61.3% ABV
RRP £89.95
Glen Elgin 2008
13 year old
Drawn from a single recharred hogshead
Nose: Peach syrup and orange zest join fluffy meringue whilst menthol sits with sage leaves, crumbled biscuits and gentle cinnamon.
Palate: Opening with spiced toffee and bright orchard fruits before developing toward apricot sponge cake, toasted oak and cask char.
Finish: Warming oak, slapped mint leaves and lingering fruit sugars.
305 bottles
70cl
51.8% ABV
RRP £69.95
Benrinnes 2009
12 year old
Drawn from a single hogshead
Nose: Pear poached in mead sits with lemon and quince jellies. Butter caramel follows, livened by darkly roasted malts and pumice stone.
Palate: Orchard fruit syrup and pineapple juice lead into soft waxiness. The development reveals mandarins, chocolate, pink peppercorns and a tingle of salinity.
Finish: Sustained green and yellow fruits, orange peel and vanilla sweetness.
305 bottles
70cl
54% ABV
RRP £69.95
Dailuaine 2009
13 year old
Drawn from a single Cognac butt
Nose: Blackberry bread and butter pudding, split vanilla pods and sunflower oil sit alongside ginger snap biscuits and toasted almonds.
Palate: Golden syrup is drizzled over apples and grapes, whilst brandy butter is livened by cask spices – ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Finish: Darker and deeper maltiness with lingering spice.
510 bottles
70cl
50% ABV
RRP £59.95
About The Dava Way
The Dava Way uncovers, curates and bottles spirits that exemplify and celebrate flavour, balance and uniqueness. Named after the Great Scottish Trail that follows the path of the former Highland Railway passing close to Dunphail Distillery, The Dava Way explores the individuality of whisky – one cask at a time.
About Dunphail Distillery
Our firm belief in the importance of high-quality barley and the use of onsite floor malting and kilning ensures that Dunphail’s spirit is a product of uniqueness, shaped by generations of rich distilling heritage. We craft the finest whisky the way it used to be made – taking the traditions of the past to shape the whisky of tomorrow.
