Dailuaine 9 Years Old 2009 Cask #2019-085 (Blackadder)

A 9 year old Dailuaine from the bottler Blackadder, distilled in 2009, from cask 2019-085, bottled at 46%, one of 333 bottles. Dailuaine is a robust Speyside distillery at Carron, making a full bodied malt mostly for blends. It had its own railway siding and a little locomotive, Dailuaine No.1, known as the Puggy.

It was made in large copper stills for a rich, robust make, giving the heavy, meaty spirit at its heart. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the rich character to the fore. Young and extractive, the cask sheds vanillin (vanilla) and toasted sugars (light caramel) over the heavy spirit. The big stills give a heavy spirit that takes a long, sherried maturation in its stride. The full bodied make rewards a long, patient maturation in good wood. It passed to DCL and Scottish Malt Distillers in the 1920s and was later modernised. Maturation in the cool north east keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years.

At an approachable 46% it is soft and easy. Apple, dried fruit and a meaty edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a malty depth give it weight. The finish is deep, rich and savoury. This is Dailuaine's heavy, meaty Speyside style.