Dalmunach 3 Years Old 2016 Cask #10825783 (Duncan Taylor)

A 3 year old Dalmunach from the Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor, distilled in 2016, from cask 10825783, bottled at 54.6%, one of 84 bottles. Dalmunach was opened in 2015 by Chivas Brothers, making a light, fruity Speyside malt for Chivas Regal. Its eight stills stand in a striking circular cluster around a central spirit safe, a showpiece of modern design.

It was worked through the distillery's eight stills for a fruity, light spirit, giving the clean, fresh Speyside spirit. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and citrus beneath the fruity malt. In these extractive early years the oak gives vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut over a bright, fruity spirit. Years in oak round the young spirit, the fruit deepening to honey and orchard fruit. Single malt Dalmunach is scarce, the spirit being a blend component first and foremost. Water comes from the Balintomb Burn, near the River Spey at Carron.

At its natural 54.6% it is concentrated. A fresh, fruity sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A green apple and a gentle spice lift it. The finish is clean, bright and fruity. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.