Dailuaine 12 Years Old 2013 High Proof Guarantee (North Star)

A 12 year old Dailuaine from the bottler North Star Spirits, distilled in 2013, bottled at 58.3%, one of 276 bottles. Dailuaine sits at Carron on the Spey, a big, sherried Speyside malt rarely seen on its own. The name is Gaelic for the green vale, after the hollow in which the distillery sits.

It was distilled in large conical necked stills on Bailliemullich Burn water, to build a robust, malty, sherry loving character. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the heavy, malty character lead. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the malt, fruit deepening to dried fruit. Most Dailuaine goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to dried fruit and a savoury spice. It had its own railway siding and a little locomotive, Dailuaine No.1, known as the Puggy. Its rich, robust malt has long been a backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends.

At cask strength 58.3% it is full bodied. Dried fruit, malt and a rich, savoury depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. The finish runs meaty, fruity and warm. This is the robust, sherried malt of Carron.