Dailuaine 26 Years Old 1981 Cask #2166 (Samaroli)

A Dailuaine of a 26 year old chosen by the bottler Samaroli, distilled in 1981, from cask 2166, bottled at 45%, one of 289 bottles. Dailuaine is the rich, malty Speyside single malt that helped build the Johnnie Walker blends. The name is Gaelic for the green vale, after the hollow in which the distillery sits.

The spirit was made in large copper stills for a rich, robust make, to build a robust, malty, sherry loving character. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the heavy, malty character lead. In the oxidative, evaporative years concentration brings dried fruit, fig and a savoury depth over a rich malt. Dailuaine's heavy, malty make is prized by blenders for the body it gives. Most Dailuaine goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. It sits near Aberlour, in the heart of Speyside by the River Spey. A fire in 1917 destroyed the maltings, and the distillery was rebuilt soon after.

At an approachable 45% it is soft and easy. A heavy, malty fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and a rich malt sit behind the cask. The finish runs meaty, fruity and warm. This is Dailuaine, a backbone of the great blends.