Dalmunach 9 Years Old 2016 Cask #10846476 (Duncan Taylor)

A Dalmunach of a 9 year old chosen by the Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor, distilled in 2016, from cask 10846476, bottled at 55.2%, one of 172 bottles. Dalmunach rose in 2015 where Imperial once stood, a modern Speyside distillery by the Spey. It is one of the largest and most efficient malt distilleries in Scotland, with a heat recovery system.

Distilled in copper stills on Balintomb Burn water, to build a fruity, grassy character. A Pedro Ximenez cask gave the young spirit raisin, date and a treacle sweetness. In these extractive early years the oak gives vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut over a bright, fruity spirit. Dalmunach's modern, efficient stillhouse gives a consistent, fruity spirit. Even young, the spirit shows a clean, fruity Speyside charm. The name comes from the Dalmunach pool, a stretch of the Spey beside the distillery.

At 55.2%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Orchard fruit, vanilla and a soft spice, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. A green apple and a gentle spice lift it. A fresh, honeyed finish ends on apple and pear. This is a clean Speyside single malt from a modern distillery.