Dimple 12 Year Old isn’t a bottle you’ll typically find at a standard US liquor store — it’s a current release in markets including Japan and Australia, rather than the version of Dimple most prominently sold in the US and UK today (Diageo’s Haig Dimple line there centers on a 15 Year expression instead). I drink it neat most of the time for reviews, but this is one where the mixed serves clearly outperformed a straight pour — on the rocks, with water and in a highball all worked better than neat. For more from this category, see our Scotch Whisky reviews, including Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve for another gentle, approachable blended Scotch.
Dimple 12 Year Review
The Verdict
3.0/ 5
Vanilla Honeyed Light
Best for
Drinkers who want a light, gentle blended Scotch mainly for mixing — on the rocks, with water or in a highball — rather than sipping neat. Less suited to those who mostly drink Scotch straight or who want real depth and individuality.
Quick Verdict
Dimple 12 Year Old is a light, restrained blended Scotch built around vanilla, orange and honey, with just a trace of smoke. It's gentle rather than characterful, and — unusually — it actually performs better mixed than it does neat. It's an easy, inoffensive choice for drinkers who want a mild introduction to blended Scotch, though it won't satisfy anyone looking for real depth or a bottle that shines on its own.
Bottle Information
Dimple 12 Year Old is a Blended Scotch Whisky from the historic Haig brand, currently owned by Diageo. It's built around Glenkinchie (Lowland) and Linkwood (Speyside) single malts as its key malts, and is bottled at 40% ABV. The brand is well known for its distinctive three-sided, indented "dimple" bottle shape, in use since the 1890s. The 12 Year expression is currently sold in markets including Japan and Australia; Diageo's own current Haig brand materials more prominently describe a 15 Year Dimple expression, so the 12 Year should be treated as a market-specific current product rather than the brand's global flagship age statement.
Whisky Specs
- Country
- Scotland
- Brand
- Dimple
- Category
- Blended Scotch
- Age
- 12
- ABV
- 40% ABV
- Volume
- 700ml
- Value
- Fair
Tasting Review
Tasting Notes
- Nose
- A restrained, mellow nose — vanilla, apple, honey, orange, fresh greenery and spice.
- Palate
- Light on the palate, with a smooth, clean texture. Vanilla, malt, orange, spice and a trace of smoke.
- Finish
- A moderate lingering of spice, faint smokiness and oak.
Flavor Profile
- Sweetness 3 / 5
- Fruit 2 / 5
- Spice 2 / 5
- Oak 1 / 5
- Smoke / Peat 1 / 5
- Body 1 / 5
Pros
- Gentle, approachable and versatile — vanilla, orange and honey come through cleanly without ever feeling harsh, and it performs especially well on the rocks, with water or in a highball.
- A restrained, well-integrated trace of smoke adds a little extra dimension without overwhelming the softer, sweeter character.
Cons
- Neat is clearly this bottle's weakest serve — it lacks depth and real satisfaction on its own, and a full 1:1 water pour thins it out even further.
Final Verdict
Dimple 12 Year Old is a genuinely gentle, easy-drinking blended Scotch — vanilla, orange, honey and a trace of smoke come together without ever turning sharp or aggressive. Where it falls short is neat: this bottle's straight pour is its weakest serve, lacking depth and real satisfaction, while it becomes much more convincing on the rocks and especially in a highball. That makes it a harder bottle to score highly under Dram Verdict's neat-centered standard, even though it's a perfectly pleasant, versatile mixer. It's a current release in markets like Japan and Australia rather than a widely available US bottle, so value and availability will vary a lot depending on where you're looking, and it makes the most sense for someone who mainly plans to drink it mixed rather than neat.
Other Ways to Drink It
Dram Verdict's core Nose, Palate, Finish and Score above are tasted neat. These are Kaz's notes on other ways he's actually tried this bottle.
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With Water
Becomes completely thin at a full 1:1 pour — a smaller amount of water tastes better, but the alcohol presence and spiciness don't go away either way.
-
On the Rocks
Malty and fruity, with real balance — despite the gentle style, the flavor comes through solidly over ice.
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Highball
Fruity, dry and clean — refreshing to drink, with nothing about it feeling lacking.