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

A Dalmunach of an 8 year old chosen by the German bottler Best Dram, distilled in 2016, from cask Cuvée, bottled at 57.2%, one of 319 bottles. Dalmunach is a vast, efficient Speyside distillery opened by Chivas Brothers in 2015. The name comes from the Dalmunach pool, a stretch of the Spey beside the distillery.

The spirit was worked through the distillery's eight stills for a fruity, light spirit, for a light, fruity make of real freshness. Maturation in an Oloroso cask laid dried fruit over the fruity malt. These early years are extractive, the oak surrendering vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut to a fresh, fruity make. The fresh, fruity make is a model of the new Speyside style. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation in the warehouses by the Spey. Refill oak lets the fresh Dalmunach character lead, apple and citrus beneath.

Bottled at a cask strength 57.2%, it is rich. Orchard fruit, vanilla and a soft spice, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. A clean citrus and a soft oak give it lift. It finishes light, fresh and fruity. This is a fresh, fruity Speyside single malt from Dalmunach.