Dalmunach 9 Years Old 2016 Cask #10843889 (Duncan Taylor)

From the Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor, a 9 year old Dalmunach, distilled in 2016, from cask 10843889, bottled at 54.1%, one of 94 bottles. Dalmunach is a vast, efficient Speyside distillery opened by Chivas Brothers in 2015. It is one of the largest and most efficient malt distilleries in Scotland, with a heat recovery system.

Distilled for the light, fruity Speyside spirit Dalmunach is known for, giving the clean, fresh Speyside spirit. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the clean, fresh character lead. In its extractive youth the cask lends vanillin vanilla and lactone coconut to a bright, clean spirit. The clean, fruity make takes a sherry or wine cask especially well at a young age. Even young, the spirit shows a clean, fruity Speyside charm. Its eight stills stand in a striking circular cluster around a central spirit safe, a showpiece of modern design.

At cask strength 54.1% it is full bodied. Green apple, citrus and a soft vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A green apple and a gentle spice lift it. A fresh, honeyed finish ends on apple and pear. This is Dalmunach, a new Speyside name on the Spey.