Dailuaine 10 Years Old 2011 Cask #800469 (A.D. Rattray)

A Dailuaine of a 10 year old chosen by A.D. Rattray, distilled in 2011, from cask 800469, bottled at 57.5%, one of 243 bottles. Dailuaine is a full bodied Speyside malt of real depth, mostly bottled by independents. Its rich, robust malt has long been a backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends.

The spirit was distilled in large conical necked stills on Bailliemullich Burn water, for the rich, full bodied make Dailuaine is known for. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the malty spirit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper orchard fruit over the meaty malt. The big stills give a heavy spirit that takes a long, sherried maturation in its stride. It passed to DCL and Scottish Malt Distillers in the 1920s and was later modernised. Water comes from the Bailliemullich Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills.

At a hearty 57.5% it carries real weight. Orchard fruit, malt and a warm spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, malt and a savoury edge. A long, full finish carries a savoury depth. This is one of Speyside's heavier single malts.