Dailuaine 10 Years Old 2011 Finest Whisky Berlin (Sansibar)

From the bottler Sansibar, a 10 year old Dailuaine, distilled in 2011, bottled at 52.3%, one of 267 bottles. Dailuaine is a rich, meaty Speyside single malt from the banks of the Spey near Aberlour. Most of its make goes to blending, with a Flora and Fauna sixteen year old the regular single malt.

It was made in large copper stills for a rich, robust make, for a big, full Speyside spirit. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the meaty malt. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the heavy body fuller and richer. 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. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the heavy malt deepening. Maturation in the cool north east keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years.

At a natural 52.3% it is full and honeyed. A heavy, malty fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is heavy, the fruit carried on a meaty, malty body. The finish is long, rich and savoury. This is a full bodied Speyside single malt of real depth.