Dailuaine Bourbon Finish MM (Murray McDavid)

From the bottler Murray McDavid, a Dailuaine, from cask Batch #BBN-01, bottled at 44.5%. Dailuaine, founded in 1852, gave Scotch its first pagoda roofed kiln. Its rich, robust malt has long been a backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends.

The spirit was distilled in large conical necked stills on Bailliemullich Burn water, building the heavy Dailuaine style. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the rich character to the fore. Without an age statement, vanillin sweetness and a robust, sherried depth point to good years in oak. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to dried fruit and a savoury spice. It had its own railway siding and a little locomotive, Dailuaine No.1, known as the Puggy. A fire in 1917 destroyed the maltings, and the distillery was rebuilt soon after. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years. Most of its make goes to blending, with a Flora and Fauna sixteen year old the regular single malt.

At 44.5% it is clean and soft. Apple, dried fruit and a meaty edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. The finish is long, rich and savoury. This is a rich, malty Speyside single malt.