Dimple is one of those names that carries more weight than most drinkers realise. The brand has been knocking around since 1890, and that distinctive three-sided bottle — pinched at the waist like someone squeezed it while the glass was still warm — remains one of the most recognisable silhouettes in blended Scotch. The Gold Selection sits as the entry point in the current range, bottled at 40% ABV with no age statement, and priced at a fairly reasonable £31.50. It's a blend that doesn't shout, but it doesn't need to.
What interests me about Dimple Gold Selection is where it positions itself in the blended Scotch market. This isn't trying to be a peated bruiser or a sherry-bomb single malt masquerading as a blend. It's a classically constructed blended Scotch — smooth, approachable, built for versatility. The kind of whisky that Diageo's blending team has been quietly perfecting for decades. At this price point, you're competing against the likes of Johnnie Walker Black Label and Chivas 12, and Dimple holds its ground by doing something slightly different: it doesn't try to be everything to everyone. It picks a lane — refined, mellow, easy-drinking — and stays in it.
The NAS designation won't bother anyone who understands how blended Scotch actually works. Age statements on blends have always been something of a marketing exercise. What matters is consistency and balance, and the Gold Selection delivers both. There's a reason this brand has maintained a loyal following across Europe and Asia for over a century — it's reliable in the best sense of the word.
Tasting Notes
I'll be honest — I'm not going to fabricate a twelve-line flavour breakdown here. What I will say is that Dimple Gold Selection drinks exactly like you'd expect a well-made blended Scotch at 40% to drink. It's gentle, it's rounded, and it has enough character to hold your attention without demanding it. If you've had other whiskies in the Dimple range, you'll recognise the house style: grain-forward with enough malt influence to give it backbone.
The Verdict
At £31.50, Dimple Gold Selection represents solid value in a crowded market. It's not going to convert single malt purists or win over peat heads, and it's not trying to. This is a blend for people who appreciate the craft of blending — the art of making something greater than the sum of its parts. It's the kind of bottle I'd keep on the shelf for guests who say they "like whisky but nothing too strong," and I mean that as a genuine compliment. Not every whisky needs to be a challenging experience. Sometimes you want something that simply works, and Dimple Gold Selection works. A 7.5 out of 10 feels right — it does what it sets out to do, does it well, and doesn't overcharge you for the privilege.
Best Served
This is a highball whisky, full stop. Pour 35ml over plenty of ice in a tall glass, top with good soda water, and add a strip of lemon peel if you're feeling civilised. The blend's gentle character opens up beautifully with dilution, and it makes for a genuinely refreshing drink that you can have two of without any regrets. Also works perfectly well neat as an after-dinner dram — just don't overthink it.
