Dailuaine 17 Years Old 2007 Cask #300023 (Elixir)

From Sukhinder Singh's Elixir Distillers, a 17 year old Dailuaine, distilled in 2007, from cask 300023, bottled at 53.6%, one of 184 bottles. Dailuaine was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie, and was the first distillery to wear the pagoda roof. It had its own railway siding and a little locomotive, Dailuaine No.1, known as the Puggy.

Made in large copper stills for a rich, robust make, building the heavy Dailuaine style. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the meaty malt. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and dried fruit) over the meaty, malty depth. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice. Refill oak lets the robust Dailuaine character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. Single malt Dailuaine is rare as an official bottling, so most come from independents.

At 53.6%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Malt, dried fruit and a rich spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. Dried fruit, malt and a savoury oak see out the finish. This is a rich, dried fruit laden Speyside single malt.