Dailuaine 12 Years Old 2008 Watt Whisky (Campbeltown Whisky Company Ltd.)

This Dailuaine was bottled by the bottler Campbeltown Whisky Company Ltd, a 12 year old, distilled in 2008, bottled at 57.8%, one of 312 bottles. Dailuaine is the rich, malty Speyside single malt that helped build the Johnnie Walker blends. It sits near Aberlour, in the heart of Speyside by the River Spey.

The spirit was drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, to build a robust, malty, sherry loving character. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding vanilla and a soft honey. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the rich, full bodied spirit growing rounder. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt. The big stills give a heavy spirit that takes a long, sherried maturation in its stride. The name is Gaelic for the green vale, after the hollow in which the distillery sits. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice.

Bottled at a cask strength 57.8%, it is rich. Baked fruit, fig and a savoury depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, malt and a savoury edge. It finishes robust, malty and warm. This is the robust, sherried malt of Carron.