Dailuaine 11 Years Old 2013 Cask #324989 (Pendulum Spirits Ltd)

A Dailuaine of an 11 year old chosen by Pendulum Spirits, distilled in 2013, from cask 324989, bottled at 53.2%, one of 292 bottles. Dailuaine is a Diageo Speyside distillery, its robust malt the backbone of many a blend. A fire in 1917 destroyed the maltings, and the distillery was rebuilt soon after.

The spirit was drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, for the rich, full bodied make Dailuaine is known for. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla over the robust spirit. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the heavy body fuller and richer. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit over a rich malt. Refill oak lets the robust Dailuaine character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. The rich, full bodied spirit takes cask flavour well, especially sherry wood.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.2%, it is rich. Baked fruit, fig and a savoury depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. The close is long, fruit over a rich malt. This is one of Speyside's heavier single malts.