Dailuaine 15 Years Old 2009 Chairman’s Stock (Cadenhead’s) (52.2%)

Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's bottled this Dailuaine, a 15 year old, distilled in 2009, bottled at 52.2%, one of 264 bottles. Dailuaine is a rich, meaty Speyside single malt from the banks of the Spey near Aberlour. Its big stills give a heavy, full bodied spirit that takes sherry wood especially well.

Distilled for the heavy, full bodied spirit Dailuaine is known for, giving the heavy, meaty spirit at its heart. A Bordeaux or red wine cask gave red berry and a dry spice. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and dried fruit) over the meaty, malty depth. Most Dailuaine goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. A first fill sherry cask suits the robust spirit, dried fruit meeting the meaty weight. The big stills give a heavy spirit that takes a long, sherried maturation in its stride.

At a natural 52.2% it is full and honeyed. A heavy, malty fruitiness, with plum, red berry and chocolate from the cask. The mouthfeel is heavy, the fruit carried on a meaty, malty body. The finish is deep, rich and savoury. This is a rich, malty Speyside single malt.