Dailuaine 13 Years Old 2004 (Small Batch)

From Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's, a 13 year old Dailuaine, distilled in 2004, bottled at 46%, one of 432 bottles. Dailuaine is the rich, malty Speyside single malt that helped build the Johnnie Walker blends. It sits near Aberlour, in the heart of Speyside by the River Spey.

The spirit was drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, to build a robust, malty, sherry loving character. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and a soft honey behind the rich malt. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the heavy body fuller and richer. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years. It had its own railway siding and a little locomotive, Dailuaine No.1, known as the Puggy. It passed to DCL and Scottish Malt Distillers in the 1920s and was later modernised.

At an approachable 46% it is soft and easy. Dried fruit, malt and a rich, savoury depth, 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 a rich, malty Speyside single malt.