Dailuaine 10 Years Old ElD The Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks (Elixir)

A 10 year old Dailuaine from Sukhinder Singh's Elixir Distillers, distilled in 2006, bottled at 48%. Dailuaine, whose name is Gaelic for the green vale, is a heavy, full bodied Speysider. In 1889 it became the first distillery to use the pagoda roof, the Doig Ventilator designed by Charles Doig.

Made in large copper stills for a rich, robust make, for a big, full Speyside spirit. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the rich character to the fore. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the malt, fruit deepening to dried fruit. Most Dailuaine goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. Refill oak lets the robust Dailuaine character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. It had its own railway siding and a little locomotive, Dailuaine No.1, known as the Puggy. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice.

At 48%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. A robust, sherried maltiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and a rich malt sit behind the cask. The close is long, fruit over a rich malt. This is one of Speyside's heavier single malts.