Dailuaine 10 Years Old 2008 (Small Batch) (59.8%)

A Dailuaine of a 10 year old chosen by Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's, distilled in 2008, bottled at 59.8%. Dailuaine is a Diageo Speyside distillery, its robust malt the backbone of many a blend. Its big stills give a heavy, full bodied spirit that takes sherry wood especially well.

Distilled in large conical necked stills on Bailliemullich Burn water, giving the heavy, meaty spirit at its heart. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the malty spirit. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the rich, full bodied spirit growing rounder. Maturation in the cool north east keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years. A first fill sherry cask suits the robust spirit, dried fruit meeting the meaty weight. The big stills give a heavy spirit that takes a long, sherried maturation in its stride.

At a hearty 59.8% it carries real weight. Dried fruit, malt and a rich, savoury depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is robust and fruity, the full bodied spirit shining through. Dried fruit, malt and a savoury oak see out the finish. This is a rich, malty Speyside single malt.