Dailuaine 18 Years Old 1996 (Authentic Collection)

An 18 year old Dailuaine from Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's, distilled in 1996, bottled at 54.3%, one of 258 bottles. Dailuaine, whose name is Gaelic for the green vale, is a heavy, full bodied Speysider. It sits near Aberlour, in the heart of Speyside by the River Spey.

The spirit was worked through the big stills for a meaty, malty spirit, to build a robust, malty, sherry loving character. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the meaty malt. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and dried fruit) over the meaty, malty depth. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit over a rich malt. The distillery was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie on the banks of the Spey at Carron.

Bottled at a cask strength 54.3%, it is rich. Apple, dried fruit and a meaty edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is robust and fruity, the full bodied spirit shining through. It finishes robust, malty and warm. This is the robust, sherried malt of Carron.