Dailuaine 14 Years Old 2009 Cask #9344 (Meadowside Blending)

A Dailuaine of a 14 year old chosen by the bottler Meadowside Blending, distilled in 2009, from cask 9344, bottled at 53.1%, one of 630 bottles. Dailuaine, founded in 1852, gave Scotch its first pagoda roofed kiln. It passed to DCL and Scottish Malt Distillers in the 1920s and was later modernised.

The spirit was distilled for the heavy, full bodied spirit Dailuaine is known for, for a big, full Speyside spirit. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin, fig and walnut to the robust malt. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the malt, fruit deepening to dried fruit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years. Maturation in the cool north east keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the heavy malt deepening. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.1%, it is rich. A rich, full bodied sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, malt and a savoury edge. The finish is deep, rich and savoury. This is Dailuaine, a backbone of the great blends.