Dailuaine 11 Years Old 2011 Cask #800472 (A.D. Rattray)

A.D. Rattray bottled this Dailuaine, an 11 year old, distilled in 2011, from cask 800472, bottled at 53%, one of 261 bottles. Dailuaine is the rich, malty Speyside single malt that helped build the Johnnie Walker blends. The distillery was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie on the banks of the Spey at Carron.

The spirit was made in large copper stills for a rich, robust make, for the rich, full bodied make Dailuaine is known for. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the malty spirit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper orchard fruit over the meaty malt. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the heavy malt deepening. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt. It sits near Aberlour, in the heart of Speyside by the River Spey.

Bottled at a cask strength 53%, it is rich. Baked fruit, fig and a savoury depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and a rich malt sit behind the cask. The finish is deep, rich and savoury. This is Dailuaine, a backbone of the great blends.