Dailuaine 18 Years Old 1997 Cask #15590/91 (Wilson & Morgan)

The Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan bottled this Dailuaine, an 18 year old, distilled in 1997, from cask 15590/91, bottled at 53.5%, one of 570 bottles. Dailuaine was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie, and was the first distillery to wear the pagoda roof. Its rich, robust malt has long been a backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends.

Worked through the big stills for a meaty, malty spirit, for the rich, full bodied make Dailuaine is known for. Ex-Sherry wood added a deep dried fruit richness to the full bodied malt. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, fruit turning to dried fruit over a rich, malty body. A first fill sherry cask suits the robust spirit, dried fruit meeting the meaty weight. The distillery was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie on the banks of the Spey at Carron. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice.

At its natural 53.5% it is concentrated. Baked fruit, fig and a savoury depth, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Soft orchard fruit and a rich malt sit behind the cask. The close is long, fruit over a rich malt. This is the robust, sherried malt of Carron.