Dallas Dhu 43 Years Old 1979 Cask #1404 (Private Collection)

A Dallas Dhu of a 43 year old chosen by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1979, from cask 1404, bottled at 54.1%, one of 155 bottles. Dallas Dhu is the best preserved of the lost distilleries, a Victorian whisky museum frozen in time. It stands today as a museum, its stills, worm tubs and floor maltings kept just as they were.

The spirit was distilled for a malty, fruity Speyside spirit, to build a fruity, honeyed Speyside character. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the malty spirit. Ethereal and old, decades draw the malt to a waxy, honeyed delicacy of sotolon, old oak and dried fruit. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation in the dunnage warehouses by Forres. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the oily malt. The pot stills gave a fruity, oily spirit that ages slowly and with grace. No new spirit followed it after 1983, the stills kept as a museum piece.

At cask strength 54.1% it is full bodied. Malty fruit, honey and a soft oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is fruity and malty, the oily spirit shining through. The finish runs oily, fruity and warm. This is Dallas Dhu's malty, fruity Speyside style.