Dailuaine 12 Years Old 2009 Cask #307407 (van Wees)

A 12 year old Dailuaine from the bottler van Wees, distilled in 2009, from cask 307407, bottled at 46%. Dailuaine is the rich, malty Speyside single malt that helped build the Johnnie Walker blends. Water comes from the Bailliemullich Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills.

It was distilled in large conical necked stills on Bailliemullich Burn water, for a rich, meaty make that suits sherry wood. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the malty spirit. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the heavy body fuller and richer. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the heavy malt deepening. Refill oak lets the robust Dailuaine character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. The full bodied make rewards a long, patient maturation in good wood. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice.

At 46% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. Malt, dried fruit and a rich spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is heavy, the fruit carried on a meaty, malty body. The close is long, fruit over a rich malt. This is a full bodied Speyside single malt of real depth.