Dailuaine 24 Years Old 1997 Cask #7227 + 7235 (Signatory)

From the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 24 year old Dailuaine, distilled in 1997, from cask 7227 + 7235, bottled at 47.4%, one of 369 bottles. Dailuaine sits at Carron on the Spey, a big, sherried Speyside malt rarely seen on its own. In 1889 it became the first distillery to use the pagoda roof, the Doig Ventilator designed by Charles Doig.

It was made in large copper stills for a rich, robust make, for a big, full Speyside spirit. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the heavy, malty character lead. Through the evaporative decades the spirit concentrates, esters folding into dried fruit, leather and a warm spice. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice. Dailuaine's heavy, malty make is prized by blenders for the body it gives.

At a hearty 47.4% it carries real weight. A heavy, malty fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is heavy, the fruit carried on a meaty, malty body. The close is long, fruit over a rich malt. This is Dailuaine's heavy, meaty Speyside style.