Dallas Dhu 36 Years Old 1971 Cask #DL 3802 (Douglas Laing)

From the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, a 36 year old Dallas Dhu, distilled in 1971, from cask DL 3802, bottled at 42.3%, one of 181 bottles. Dallas Dhu is a closed Speyside distillery, kept intact as a working museum by Historic Environment Scotland. Water came from the Altyre Burn, in the hollow south of Forres where the distillery sits.

The spirit was run through the distillery's pot stills and worm tub condensers, for the malty, fruity make Dallas Dhu was known for. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft toffee over the oily malt. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, spice). The malty, fruity spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its oily, honeyed core. Its malty, fruity spirit went almost entirely into blends, never sold as an official single malt in its day. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation in the dunnage warehouses by Forres. With Dallas Dhu silent since 1983, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

Reduced to 42.3%, it is mellow. A soft, oily fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and a honeyed malt sit behind the cask. The finish runs oily, fruity and warm. This is a rare Speyside single malt from a closed distillery.