Dailuaine 12 Years Old 2010 Cask #DL 15921 (Old Particular)

A Dailuaine of a 12 year old chosen by the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, distilled in 2010, from cask DL 15921, bottled at 48.4%, one of 378 bottles. Dailuaine is a Diageo Speyside distillery, its robust malt the backbone of many a blend. The distillery was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie on the banks of the Spey at Carron.

The spirit was worked through the big stills for a meaty, malty spirit, building the heavy Dailuaine style. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the meaty malt. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the heavy body fuller and richer. Dailuaine's heavy, malty make is prized by blenders for the body it gives. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit over a rich malt. Refill oak lets the robust Dailuaine character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath.

Bottled at a cask strength 48.4%, it is rich. Apple, dried fruit and a meaty edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is heavy, the fruit carried on a meaty, malty body. The finish runs meaty, fruity and warm. This is a rich, dried fruit laden Speyside single malt.