Dalmunach 9 Years Old 2016 Planets (Maltbarn)

From the German bottler Maltbarn, a 9 year old Dalmunach, distilled in 2016, bottled at 56.3%, one of 98 bottles. Dalmunach is a fruity, light Speyside malt, its spirit largely destined for the Chivas Regal blend. It is one of the largest and most efficient malt distilleries in Scotland, with a heat recovery system.

The spirit was made in modern copper stills for a clean, fresh make, to build a fruity, grassy character. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and a soft honey behind the fruity spirit. These early years are extractive, the oak surrendering vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut to a fresh, fruity make. Dalmunach's modern, efficient stillhouse gives a consistent, fruity spirit. Years in oak round the young spirit, the fruit deepening to honey and orchard fruit. Water comes from the Balintomb Burn, near the River Spey at Carron.

At a hearty 56.3% it carries real weight. Pear, honey and a fresh malt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is light, the fruit carried on a clean body. The close is clean, fruit over a gentle oak. This is Dalmunach's clean, modern Speyside style.