Dailuaine 21 Years Old 1992 (The Whisky Mercenary)

A Dailuaine of a 21 year old chosen by the bottler The Whisky Mercenary, distilled in 1992, bottled at 53.3%. Dailuaine was founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie, and was the first distillery to wear the pagoda roof. Water comes from the Bailliemullich Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills.

It was drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, building the heavy Dailuaine style. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla beneath the robust, full bodied spirit. In the oxidative middle years oxidation draws out a deeper dried fruit, vanillin and lactones fully expressed. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to dried fruit and a savoury spice. A first fill sherry cask suits the robust spirit, dried fruit meeting the meaty weight. It had its own railway siding and a little locomotive, Dailuaine No.1, known as the Puggy.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.3%, 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. A long, full finish carries a savoury depth. This is a rich, malty Speyside single malt.