Dalmunach 7 Years Old 2016 Cask #1145 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

From the bottler The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd, a 7 year old Dalmunach, distilled in 2016, from cask 1145, bottled at 58.5%, one of 396 bottles. Dalmunach, built on the Imperial site at Carron, is a modern Speysider made mostly for blends. Water comes from the Balintomb Burn, near the River Spey at Carron.

The spirit was run through the distillery's tulip and onion shaped stills, to build a fruity, grassy character. A Pedro Ximenez cask gave the young spirit raisin, date and a treacle sweetness. These early years are extractive, the oak surrendering vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut to a fresh, fruity make. Even young, the spirit shows a clean, fruity Speyside charm. It is one of the largest and most efficient malt distilleries in Scotland, with a heat recovery system. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruity malt.

At cask strength 58.5% it is full bodied. Orchard fruit, vanilla and a soft spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A green apple and a gentle spice lift it. Apple, honey and a soft oak see out the finish. This is a clean Speyside single malt from a modern distillery.