Picture by Janet Duperre
“This New Roderick Won't Dhu"
Country: Scotland
Brand: Roderick Dhu
Produced for: Historic Scotland, Longmorn House, Edinburgh.
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: NAS
ABV: 40 %
Colour: Very Pale White Wine.
Nose: Very Light with Floral and Grassy Tones, Grains, Heather, Straw, Nuts, slightly Sour Apple Juice, Sultanas, light Toffee, light Vanilla, Burnt Toast with a bit of Margarine, Refill Oak and Dried Apricot. The Alcohol does not sting. I do not find any Off-Notes but it's all very Thin and Minimalistic.
Palate: Young, Thin and Watery delivery. I find Sugary Grains, slightly Bitter Oak, light Pepper, light Licorice, Toffee and a touch of Lemon Peel.
Finish: Short and Sugary Sweet with Sweet Grains, Toffee, light Pepper, light Aniseed, Oak, Lemon Peel and light Menthol.
Added Water completely kills this Blend.
Rating: 72
Nose: 18.5 - Taste: 18 - Finish: 17.5 - Overall: 18
Still in Good Shape and Well Maintained!
General Remarks: Until it closed in 1983, the Dallas Dhu Distillery in Forres, Morayshire, produced the Malt for the Roderick Dhu Blend. This Blend was owned by Wright & Greig Ltd in Glasgow, proprietors of Dallas Dhu from around 1899 until around 1920. It was very popular in India and in Australia and New Zealand. Dallas Dhu was not demolished and since 1988 it functions as a Whisky Production Museum that includes a Visitor Centre and Shop. Since 1992 it is owned by Historic Scotland, an Agency of the Scottish Government. At their request the Roderick Dhu Blend is produced again in small quantities, mainly sold in miniatures in the Museum Venue. No idea where the Roderick Dhu Blend is produced today. Certainly not at Dallas Dhu as its Licence was withdrawn in 1992. Unless old stocks from before 1983 are used of course. Not very likely though given the Blend's very pale appearance that is quite different from the colour of the Original Blend. If any of you know more about this, please leave your Comment. That would be greatly appreciated!
The Roderick Dhu as produced until 1983 at Dallas Dhu!
Drinking Experience Neat: Below Average.
Conclusion: I never had the chance to taste the Old Roderick Dhu and it's more than likely that I never will. But I feel that today's Roderick is only a hollow shell of its former self. True, there are no Off-Notes and the Alcohol does not sting but there's nothing in this Blend that arouses my interest. The Roderick Dhu Blend was named after one of the main characters in Sir Walter Scott's narrative poem " The Lady of the Lake". Roderick Dhu, the Chief of the Clan Alpine, dies during the Rebellion against King James. It would have been better if the Blend that carries his name would have died as well when Dallas Dhu closed its gates in 1983.
Our Visit: We visited Dallas Dhu on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. Unfortunately it was raining again but that won't surprise you anymore. We did not visit the museum as we preferred to visit Working Distilleries. We did have a look at the beautiful shop though. Lots of Whisky, including some old but very expensive Dallas Dhu Malts but also large quantities of books, miniatures, local food and other goodies. We bought a few souvenirs for the Home Front as well as some Miniatures. Certainly worth a visit if you're around!
The Beautiful Shop at Dallas Dhu!
Our Visit: We visited Dallas Dhu on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. Unfortunately it was raining again but that won't surprise you anymore. We did not visit the museum as we preferred to visit Working Distilleries. We did have a look at the beautiful shop though. Lots of Whisky, including some old but very expensive Dallas Dhu Malts but also large quantities of books, miniatures, local food and other goodies. We bought a few souvenirs for the Home Front as well as some Miniatures. Certainly worth a visit if you're around!
Jan van den Ende August 31, 2014
The Entrance to the Shop!
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