Dailuaine 12 Years Old 2009 Cask #307405 + 307406 (Signatory)

A Dailuaine of a 12 year old chosen by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2009, from cask 307405 + 307406, bottled at 46%. Dailuaine sits at Carron on the Spey, a big, sherried Speyside malt rarely seen on its own. In 1889 it became the first distillery to use the pagoda roof, the Doig Ventilator designed by Charles Doig.

Distilled in large conical necked stills on Bailliemullich Burn water, giving the heavy, meaty spirit at its heart. 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. The big stills give a heavy spirit that takes a long, sherried maturation in its stride. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt.

At 46% it is smooth and honeyed. Orchard fruit, malt and a warm spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a malty depth give it weight. The finish is deep, rich and savoury. This is Dailuaine's heavy, meaty Speyside style.