Dailuaine 12 Years Old 2010 Cask #Batch 1 (BB&R)

From the London merchant Berry Bros and Rudd, a 12 year old Dailuaine, distilled in 2010, from cask Batch 1, bottled at 46%, one of 1030 bottles. Dailuaine is a heavy, fruity Speyside single malt from near Aberlour. The distillery was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie on the banks of the Spey at Carron.

The spirit was drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, for a rich, meaty make that suits sherry wood. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla beneath the robust, full bodied spirit. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the malt, fruit deepening to dried fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to dried fruit and a savoury spice. Single malt Dailuaine is rare as an official bottling, so most come from independents. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit over a rich malt.

At 46% it is clean and soft. Malt, dried fruit and a rich spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Dried fruit, malt and a savoury spice fill the middle. The finish is long, rich and savoury. This is one of Speyside's heavier single malts.