Whisky Focus - The Dava Way - Dunphail Distillery’s New Independent Bottling

Dunphail Distillery which is currently under construction in Speyside and is scheduled to be completed early next year has 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 what they say is 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.

As the four inaugural bottlings will be showcased at The London Whisky Show taking place at Old Billingsgate Market next month the whiskies should then be available from specialist online whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange
 

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