Dalwhinnie Winter's Frost is the House Stark entry in the Game of Thrones single malt collection Diageo released to mark the final season of the series, and the pairing of distillery to house is the least arbitrary in the set. Dalwhinnie sits in the central Highlands at one of the highest and coldest distillery sites in all of Scotland, in a village with a population of around eighty people. The conditions there are genuinely extreme, and they shape the whisky: cold, slow maturation produces the soft honeyed sweetness and gentle spice that define the Dalwhinnie house style. Matching that to the northern seat of House Stark was an obvious move, and Diageo took it. What is in the bottle is recognisably Dalwhinnie rather than a novelty. The nose opens floral and orchard led, with apple and pear over an embracing honeyed warmth. The palate is soft and warming, honeyed fruit carried on a light floral note with a touch of spice underneath, and the finish is gentle and softly spiced with honey lingering. It is a Highland malt in the classic sense, unpeated and approachable, and one of the easier drinking bottles in a collection that skews smoky elsewhere. It carries no age statement and is bottled at 43 percent alcohol by volume. Diageo suggests serving it chilled or over ice, which is unusual advice for a single malt but suits this one, and ties neatly to the frozen north theme. Released in autumn 2018 as a limited edition and long since discontinued, it comes in an illustrated presentation tube bearing the direwolf sigil, which has kept it in demand among collectors assembling the full set.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
43% |
| Proof |
86 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Scotland |
| Region |
Highland |
| Distillery |
Dalwhinnie Distillery, Inverness-shire |
| Producer |
Diageo |
| Category |
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Expression |
Winter's Frost, House Stark |
| Collection |
Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection |
| Released |
Autumn 2018 |
| Mashbill |
100% Malted Barley |
| Status |
Limited edition, discontinued |
| Packaging |
Illustrated presentation tube with House Stark direwolf sigil |
Tasting Notes
Color: Golden.
Nose: Classic Dalwhinnie. Flowers, apple and pear over an embracing honeyed warmth.
Palate: Incredibly soft and warming. Honeyed fruit leads, with light floral notes and a touch of gentle spice.
Finish: Soft and lightly spiced, closing on honey.
FAQ
Q: Which house is this?
A: House Stark. The bottle and tube carry the direwolf sigil, and the packaging bears the house motto.
Q: Why was Dalwhinnie chosen for House Stark?
A: Dalwhinnie sits at one of the highest and coldest distillery sites in Scotland, and Diageo drew the parallel between those conditions and the northern setting of the Stark seat.
Q: Is it smoky?
A: No. Dalwhinnie is an unpeated Highland malt, soft and honeyed rather than smoky. It is one of the gentler bottles in the collection.
Q: How old is the whisky?
A: It carries no age statement.
Q: How should I serve it?
A: Diageo recommends serving it chilled or over ice, which suits its light honeyed profile.
Q: Where can I buy Game of Thrones House Stark Dalwhinnie Winter's Frost online?
A: Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
