Dailuaine 23 Years Old 1997 Cask #9449 (Morrison and MacKay)

From the bottler Morrison and MacKay, a 23 year old Dailuaine, distilled in 1997, from cask 9449, bottled at 59.4%, one of 132 bottles. Dailuaine is the rich, malty Speyside single malt that helped build the Johnnie Walker blends. A fire in 1917 destroyed the maltings, and the distillery was rebuilt soon after.

Made in large copper stills for a rich, robust make, to build a robust, malty, sherry loving character. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding vanilla and a soft honey. Through the evaporative decades the spirit concentrates, esters folding into dried fruit, leather and a warm spice. The rich, full bodied spirit takes cask flavour well, especially sherry wood. Its rich, robust malt has long been a backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends. In 1889 it became the first distillery to use the pagoda roof, the Doig Ventilator designed by Charles Doig.

At a hearty 59.4% it carries real weight. A rich, full bodied sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is robust and fruity, the full bodied spirit shining through. The finish is long, rich and savoury. This is Dailuaine, a backbone of the great blends.