Dalmunach 8 Years Old 2016 Cask #922 (Best Dram)

The German bottler Best Dram bottled this Dalmunach, an 8 year old, distilled in 2016, from cask 922, bottled at 56.2%, one of 143 bottles. Dalmunach is a young Speyside single malt, fresh and fruity, rarely bottled on its own. Sixteen stainless washbacks feed four wash and four spirit stills.

The spirit was drawn off four wash and four spirit stills in their circular cluster, for a bright, modern Speyside spirit. A sherry cask wrapped the fresh spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Bottled young and extractive, the oak gives quick vanillin (vanilla) and oak lactones (coconut) over a lively, fruity malt. Most Dalmunach is laid down for blending, a little finding its way into single cask bottlings. Its eight stills stand in a striking circular cluster around a central spirit safe, a showpiece of modern design. The clean, fruity make takes a sherry or wine cask especially well at a young age.

At cask strength 56.2% it is full bodied. A fresh, fruity sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The mouthfeel is light, the fruit carried on a clean body. The finish is light, fruity and clean. This is a young, fresh Speyside single malt.