The Claymore Times & Dallas Dhu 1975 by Gordon & MacPhail – Scotch Whisky News
THE CLAYMORE TIMES
-All The News That’s Fit to Drink-
GORDON & MACPHAIL 1975 DALLAS DHU RARE VINTAGE (LCBO # 2081603)
Here’s the first whisky for the coming winter months but because of it rarity it can only be found in seven LCBO stores, albeit, you can ask your local store to acquire a bottle for you.
This is a very rare 1975 Dallas Dhu from a distillery that went silent in 1983, this particular barrel was bottled 2007 giving it a distillation period of 32 years and is on the shelves at $312.92. Certainly one that could be squirreled away by a collector or to be shared at a special event e.g. this Christmas.
Dallas Dhu Distillery was built 6 miles from Dallas by Wright & Greig Ltd, a Glasgow based blending company. Construction was completed in April 1899. The distillery changed hands twice before it was taken over by the DCL in 1929. In April 1939 the distillery went on fire causing £7000 worth of damage. During the second World War the distillery remained closed. In 1950 the distillery was connected to the national grid. Up until 1971 the wash still rummager was powered by a water wheel. Dallas Dhu stopped production in 1983. In 1988 it was bought by Scotland’s Historic Buildings and Monuments Directorate, it is now a museum and part of Speyside’s Whisky trail.
1) Dallas Dhu was one of the first distilleries with a pagoda roof. It was designed by the company of Charles Doig and his two sons who were involved with the design of more than a hundred distilleries in Scotland and Ireland. Dozens of them have been active until this day – like Glenfarclas, Highland Park, Lagavulin, Talisker and Bushmills (in Ireland).
2) The most popular blended whisky of Wright & Grieg Ltd. at the end of the 19th century was “Roderick Dhu”.
3) Between 1921 and 1929 Dallas Dhu distillery was owned by Benmore Distillers Ltd., an English consortium that also owned the Benmore and Lochhead whisky distilleries in Campbeltown and the Lochindaal distillery on Islay.
4) Even though the Dallas Dhu distillery was closed in 1983, warehousing continued at the premises until the distilling license was cancelled in 1992.
5) The name “Dallas Dhu” has sometimes been spelled as “Dallasdhu” in the past.
6) The old distillery buildings of Dallas Dhu are now used to house a museum.
Tasting Notes:
AROMA without water
Fruity notes present – fresh pear and peaches. Subtle ester influences, a delicate malty edge is present. A complex aroma.
TASTE without water
Mouth watering, remains fresh – peach elements, a subtle vanilla comes to the forefront.
AROMA with water
Prominent malty note with more subtle influences if fresh and ripe water melons. A subtle chocolate coffee note becomes apparent.
TASTE with water
Heavy tropical fruits initially, retains a certain freshness and becomes mouth drying.
Locations for Dallas Dhu (LCBO # 2081603)
1. TORONTO-CENTRAL 10 SCRIVENER SQUARE
YONGE & SUMMERHILL
2. TORONTO-CENTRAL 2 COOPER STREET
QUEENS QUAY & YONGE
3. OTTAWA 275 RIDEAU STREET
RIDEAU & KING EDWARD
4. TORONTO-ETOBICOKE 2946 BLOOR STREET WEST
BLOOR & ROYAL YORK (KINGSWAY)
5. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 2901 BAYVIEW AVENUE – UNIT #125
BAYVIEW & SHEPPARD (BAYVIEW VILLAGE)
6. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 1838-1844 AVENUE ROAD
AVENUE & LAWRENCE
7. OAKVILLE 321 CORNWALL DRIVE
CORNWALL & TRAFALGAR
Bill Somerville
Claymore Imports Inc.
bill@claymoreimports.ca
