Dailuaine 13 Years Old 2009 Cask #310474 (High Spirits Distribution)

The bottler High Spirits Distribution bottled this Dailuaine, a 13 year old, distilled in 2009, from cask 310474, bottled at 50%, one of 321 bottles. Dailuaine was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie, and was the first distillery to wear the pagoda roof. Single malt Dailuaine is rare as an official bottling, so most come from independents.

Made in large copper stills for a rich, robust make, for a rich, meaty make that suits sherry wood. A Moscatel cask added grape, honey and a floral lift. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the rich, full bodied spirit growing rounder. A first fill sherry cask suits the robust spirit, dried fruit meeting the meaty weight. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the heavy malt deepening.

At a hearty 50% it carries real weight. Dried fruit, malt and a rich, savoury depth, with plum, red berry and chocolate from the cask. Soft orchard fruit and a rich malt sit behind the cask. A full, malty finish ends on dried fruit and a warm spice. This is one of Speyside's heavier single malts.