Dailuaine 11 Years Old 2014 Cask #309560 (Lady of the Glen)

An 11 year old Dailuaine from the bottler Lady of the Glen, distilled in 2014, from cask 309560, bottled at 57.9%, one of 262 bottles. Dailuaine sits at Carron on the Spey, a big, sherried Speyside malt rarely seen on its own. The name is Gaelic for the green vale, after the hollow in which the distillery sits.

The spirit was drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, for a rich, meaty make that suits sherry wood. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the heavy, malty character lead. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the heavy body fuller and richer. Most Dailuaine goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. Single malt Dailuaine is rare as an official bottling, so most come from independents. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to dried fruit and a savoury spice.

At cask strength 57.9% it is full bodied. Dried fruit, malt and a rich, 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 a rich, dried fruit laden Speyside single malt.