Dailuaine 12 Years Old 1999 Cask #90631 + 90632 (Ian Macleod)

This Dailuaine was bottled by the bottler Ian Macleod, a 12 year old, distilled in 1999, from cask 90631 + 90632, bottled at 46%, one of 708 bottles. Dailuaine is a robust Speyside distillery at Carron, making a full bodied malt mostly for blends. In 1889 it became the first distillery to use the pagoda roof, the Doig Ventilator designed by Charles Doig.

It was made in large copper stills for a rich, robust make, for a rich, meaty make that suits sherry wood. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the heavy, malty character lead. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper orchard fruit over the meaty malt. The big stills give a heavy spirit that takes a long, sherried maturation in its stride. Dailuaine's heavy, malty make is prized by blenders for the body it gives. Water comes from the Bailliemullich Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Malt, dried fruit and a rich spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a malty depth give it weight. Dried fruit, malt and a savoury oak see out the finish. This is Dailuaine's heavy, meaty Speyside style.