Dailuaine 11 Years Old 2009 Cask #10926803 (Duncan Taylor)

From the Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor, an 11 year old Dailuaine, distilled in 2009, from cask 10926803, bottled at 53.9%, one of 78 bottles. Dailuaine is a Diageo Speyside distillery, its robust malt the backbone of many a blend. The name is Gaelic for the green vale, after the hollow in which the distillery sits.

It was distilled for the heavy, full bodied spirit Dailuaine is known for, building the heavy Dailuaine style. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the rich character to the fore. 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. Water comes from the Bailliemullich Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years.

At cask strength 53.9% it is full bodied. Dried fruit, malt and a rich, savoury depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Dried fruit, malt and a savoury spice fill the middle. The finish is deep, rich and savoury. This is Dailuaine's heavy, meaty Speyside style.