Dailuaine 10 Years Old 2008 (Small Batch)

A 10 year old Dailuaine from Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's, distilled in 2008, bottled at 59.9%, one of 774 bottles. Dailuaine sits at Carron on the Spey, a big, sherried Speyside malt rarely seen on its own. It had its own railway siding and a little locomotive, Dailuaine No.1, known as the Puggy.

The spirit was distilled in large conical necked stills on Bailliemullich Burn water, building the heavy Dailuaine style. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the malty spirit. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the malt, fruit deepening to dried fruit. Dailuaine's heavy, malty make is prized by blenders for the body it gives. Most Dailuaine goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. Its big stills give a heavy, full bodied spirit that takes sherry wood especially well.

Bottled at a cask strength 59.9%, it is rich. Baked fruit, fig and a savoury depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Dried fruit, malt and a savoury spice fill the middle. The finish runs meaty, fruity and warm. This is the robust, sherried malt of Carron.