Dailuaine 13 Years Old 2007 Cask #DU721 (Hidden Spirits)

A 13 year old Dailuaine from the bottler Hidden Spirits, distilled in 2007, from cask DU721, bottled at 52.1%, one of 294 bottles. Dailuaine was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie, and was the first distillery to wear the pagoda roof. Water comes from the Bailliemullich Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills.

The spirit was distilled in large conical necked stills on Bailliemullich Burn water, giving the heavy, meaty spirit at its heart. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the heavy, malty character lead. 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 rich, full bodied spirit takes cask flavour well, especially sherry wood. The name is Gaelic for the green vale, after the hollow in which the distillery sits.

At a natural 52.1% it is full and honeyed. Apple, dried fruit and a meaty edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is full and rich, the fruit lifted by a meaty malt. The finish runs meaty, fruity and warm. This is the robust, sherried malt of Carron.