Dailuaine 11 Years Old 2004 (Small Batch)

Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's bottled this Dailuaine, an 11 year old, distilled in 2004, bottled at 46%, one of 360 bottles. Dailuaine is a Diageo Speyside distillery, its robust malt the backbone of many a blend. Water comes from the Bailliemullich Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills.

It was worked through the big stills for a meaty, malty spirit, for the rich, full bodied make Dailuaine is known for. A sherry cask wrapped the rich spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth, a fine match for the heavy malt. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the malt, fruit deepening to dried fruit. Maturation in the cool north east keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years. The distillery was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie on the banks of the Spey at Carron. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt.

At 46% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. Malt, dried fruit and a rich spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. The finish runs meaty, fruity and warm. This is the robust, sherried malt of Carron.