Dailuaine 14 Years Old 2004 (SMWS 41.124)

This Dailuaine was bottled by the bottler Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a 14 year old, distilled in 2004, from cask 41.124, bottled at 57.9%, one of 249 bottles. Dailuaine is a heavy, fruity Speyside single malt from near Aberlour. It passed to DCL and Scottish Malt Distillers in the 1920s and was later modernised.

It was run through the distillery's big copper stills, to build a robust, malty, sherry loving character. A Pedro Ximenez cask added raisin, date and a treacle sweetness. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper orchard fruit over the meaty malt. Refill oak lets the robust Dailuaine character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years. Most Dailuaine goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt.

At 57.9%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Apple, dried fruit and a meaty edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Soft orchard fruit and a rich malt sit behind the cask. The finish runs meaty, fruity and warm. This is Dailuaine's heavy, meaty Speyside style.