Dailuaine 15 Years Old 2009 Cask #310718 (Wilson & Morgan)

A Dailuaine of a 15 year old chosen by the Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan, distilled in 2009, from cask 310718, bottled at 55.7%, one of 277 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.

The spirit was drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, for a rich, meaty make that suits sherry wood. An Oloroso hogshead lent fig, raisin and a savoury, nutty depth, the heavy spirit soaking it up. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and dried fruit) over the meaty, malty depth. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years. Refill oak lets the robust Dailuaine character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt.

At a hearty 55.7% it carries real weight. Baked fruit, fig and a savoury depth, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. It is robust and fruity, the full bodied spirit shining through. It finishes robust, malty and warm. This is a rich, malty Speyside single malt.