Dailuaine 10 Years Old (Premier Barrel)

The Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing bottled this Dailuaine, a 10 year old, bottled at 46%, one of 361 bottles. Dailuaine sits at Carron on the Spey, a big, sherried Speyside malt rarely seen on its own. Single malt Dailuaine is rare as an official bottling, so most come from independents.

Drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, for a rich, meaty make that suits sherry wood. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the malty spirit. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the rich, full bodied spirit growing rounder. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit over a rich malt. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years. It sits near Aberlour, in the heart of Speyside by the River Spey. Maturation in the cool north east keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years. Its big stills give a heavy, full bodied spirit that takes sherry wood especially well.

At 46% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. A robust, sherried maltiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, malt and a savoury edge. The finish runs meaty, fruity and warm. This is a rich, dried fruit laden Speyside single malt.