Dailuaine 12 Years Old 2009 Cask #1911908/93/94/95 (Murray McDavid)

A 12 year old Dailuaine from the bottler Murray McDavid, distilled in 2009, from cask 1911908/93/94/95, bottled at 50%, one of 1357 bottles. Dailuaine is a full bodied Speyside malt of real depth, mostly bottled by independents. The name is Gaelic for the green vale, after the hollow in which the distillery sits.

It was distilled for the heavy, full bodied spirit Dailuaine is known for, to build a robust, malty, sherry loving character. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and a soft honey behind the rich malt. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the heavy body fuller and richer. Most Dailuaine goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. In 1889 it became the first distillery to use the pagoda roof, the Doig Ventilator designed by Charles Doig. A first fill sherry cask suits the robust spirit, dried fruit meeting the meaty weight.

Bottled at a cask strength 50%, it is rich. A heavy, malty fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, malt and a savoury edge. The finish is deep, rich and savoury. This is a full bodied Speyside single malt of real depth.