Dailuaine 8 Years Old (Premier Barrel)

This Dailuaine was bottled by the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, an 8 year old, bottled at 46%, one of 406 bottles. Dailuaine, whose name is Gaelic for the green vale, is a heavy, full bodied Speysider. The name is Gaelic for the green vale, after the hollow in which the distillery sits.

The spirit was worked through the big stills for a meaty, malty spirit, for the rich, full bodied make Dailuaine is known for. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and a soft honey behind the rich malt. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the spirit rich, malty and full. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, malty core over the years. Refill oak lets the robust Dailuaine character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. Single malt Dailuaine is rare as an official bottling, so most come from independents. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the heavy malt deepening.

At 46% it is clean and soft. Dried fruit, malt and a rich, savoury depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Dried fruit, malt and a savoury spice fill the middle. The finish is long, rich and savoury. This is the rich, full bodied Speyside malt of Dailuaine.