This gold medal winning blended malt whiskey need a brand identity and packaging that reflected its quirky name while still being taken seriously. Sheep Dip – This golden-colored, vatted malt is a blend of 16 single malt whiskys aged between 8 and 21 years, its name arising from British farmers’ slang for whisky: sheep dip (so called to avoid paying taxes on home-distilled spirits). The nose is heavy on the malt, a rich and starchy tone that promises a really meaty spirit. The palate, however, is quite a bit more subdued. Citrus hinted at in the nose is stronger here, overpowering the malt a bit. It’s very pleasant and easy to drink, but not overly complex. Certainly something to break out at the end of a long day in the fields rather than to cap off a gourmet feast.