Dailuaine 18 Years Old 2007 Cask #354552 (James Eadie)

From the revived blender James Eadie, an 18 year old Dailuaine, distilled in 2007, from cask 354552, bottled at 50%, one of 232 bottles. Dailuaine is the rich, malty Speyside single malt that helped build the Johnnie Walker blends. It sits near Aberlour, in the heart of Speyside by the River Spey.

The spirit was drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, to build a robust, malty, sherry loving character. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and a soft honey behind the rich malt. In the oxidative middle years oxidation draws out a deeper dried fruit, vanillin and lactones fully expressed. Refill oak lets the robust Dailuaine character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. It had its own railway siding and a little locomotive, Dailuaine No.1, known as the Puggy. The name is Gaelic for the green vale, after the hollow in which the distillery sits.

At cask strength 50% it is full bodied. Baked fruit, fig and a savoury depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is heavy, the fruit carried on a meaty, malty body. The finish runs meaty, fruity and warm. This is the robust, sherried malt of Carron.