Dailuaine 10 Years Old 2013 Cask #TWC 0308 (The Whisky Chamber)

A 10 year old Dailuaine from the bottler The Whisky Chamber, distilled in 2013, from cask TWC 0308, bottled at 58.6%, one of 326 bottles. Dailuaine was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie, and was the first distillery to wear the pagoda roof. Water comes from the Bailliemullich Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills.

Run through the distillery's big copper stills, giving the heavy, meaty spirit at its heart. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the meaty malt. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the heavy body fuller and richer. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years. Dailuaine's heavy, malty make is prized by blenders for the body it gives. Single malt Dailuaine is rare as an official bottling, so most come from independents. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the heavy malt deepening.

At 58.6%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Orchard fruit, malt and a warm spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. The close is long, fruit over a rich malt. This is one of Speyside's heavier single malts.