Dailuaine 16 Years Old

Dailuaine from the distillery, a 16 year old, at 43%. Dailuaine sits at Carron on the Spey, a big, sherried Speyside malt rarely seen on its own. Single malt Dailuaine is rare as an official bottling, so most come from independents.

Distilled for the heavy, full bodied spirit Dailuaine is known for, for the rich, full bodied make Dailuaine is known for. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the malty spirit. In the oxidative middle years oxidation draws out a deeper dried fruit, vanillin and lactones fully expressed. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years. Its big stills give a heavy, full bodied spirit that takes sherry wood especially well. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice. Its rich, robust malt has long been a backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to dried fruit and a savoury spice.

At 43% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. A heavy, malty fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and a rich malt sit behind the cask. It finishes robust, malty and warm. This is a rich, malty Speyside single malt.