I keep my eyes open for whisky from non-traditional whisky-producing countries. As delicious as whiskies from Scotland and Ireland are, it is even more exciting to find whisky from a non-traditional country like Spain or India. Like this DYC 8 year old blended whisky.
I was not even aware that there is a whisky culture in Spain, but then I managed to get my hands on this bottle. The DYC 8 yo whisky is a blend and not a single malt whisky. DYC does produce a 10 yo single malt, but I have not managed to find it yet. DYC blended whisky is aged for 8 years in American oak.
Destilerías y Crianza del Whisky S.A. (or Whisky DYC) is a Spanish company formed by businessman Nicomedes García Gómez in 1958. Whisky DYC is a subsidiary of Beam Suntory.
Palazuelos de Eresma in Segovia was the site of the first distillery and began operation in February 1959. In March 1963, it started to produce Whisky DYC, the first Spanish whisky.
The DYC brand is well-liked whisky in Spain and less expensive than most imported whiskies. Popularly, DYC is mixed with non-alcoholic beverages like Coca-Cola or Fanta.
It is relatively unknown outside of Spain, but, Beam Global is exporting this Spanish whisky to India as part of its global expansion. I will certainly be looking out for it on my next visit to Bangalore.
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The DYC 8 year old is a blend of malt and grain whiskies aged in American oak casks.
COUNTRY: Spain
ABV: 40%.
COLOUR: Light golden
NOSE: Delicate and sweet with notes of vanilla, grain, honey sweetness and fresh flowers. The DYC 8 year old has a complex nose that invites you to dive in and try it.
PALATE: Without water, the palate is spicy with lots of fruity notes. It is not as sweet or delicate as promised by the nose. After adding a bit of water, the fruity notes disappear, and more spicy pepper and lemon notes come out.
Strangely, this blend becomes rougher around the edges after adding water. The sweetness and complexity suggested by the nose are not to be found on the palate.
FINISH: Medium length and end in notes of oak, lemon peel and pepper.
RATING: VERY GOOD
For a whisky traditionally used as a mixer, I was not expecting very much, but I was pleasantly surprised. Now to get my hands on the DYC 10 year old single malt version. Perhaps I will be fortunate to find it in India on my next trip.
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