Dailuaine 10 Years Old 2015 Cask #300904 (Best Dram)

A 10 year old Dailuaine from the bottler Best Dram, distilled in 2015, from cask 300904, bottled at 55.6%, one of 92 bottles. Dailuaine was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie, and was the first distillery to wear the pagoda roof. It had its own railway siding and a little locomotive, Dailuaine No.1, known as the Puggy.

It was drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, building the heavy Dailuaine style. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the heavy, malty character lead. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the rich, full bodied spirit growing rounder. Most Dailuaine goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the heavy malt deepening. Single malt Dailuaine is rare as an official bottling, so most come from independents. Dailuaine's heavy, malty make is prized by blenders for the body it gives.

At its natural 55.6% it is concentrated. Baked fruit, fig and a savoury depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is full and rich, the fruit lifted by a meaty malt. The close is long, fruit over a rich malt. This is Dailuaine's heavy, meaty Speyside style.