Dallas Dhu 32 Years Old 1972 Cask #DL 748 (Douglas Laing)

The Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing selected this Dallas Dhu, a 32 year old, distilled in 1972, from cask DL 748, bottled at 50%, one of 605 bottles. Dallas Dhu, founded in 1898 and named the dark water valley, closed in 1983. A revival is now planned, with talk of restarting production at the old distillery.

It was distilled in a single pair of pot stills with worm tubs on Altyre Burn water, for a medium bodied spirit that rewards long ageing. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft toffee over the oily malt. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, spice). The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the fruity, oily core over the decades. Dallas Dhu is the best preserved of the lost distilleries, kept whole as a museum. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey over a malty fruit. Closed in 1983, it was preserved whole rather than demolished, its profile fixed for good.

At a natural 50% it is full and oily. A fruity, malty sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Apple, honey and a waxy oil fill the middle. A long, fruity finish carries a waxy honey. This is a single malt from a silent Speyside distillery, now a museum.