Dailuaine 11 Year (2010) SMWS 41.145 "A pilgrimage of flavour"
Whisky: Dailuaine 11 Year (2010) SMWS 41.145 "A pilgrimage of flavour"
Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside
ABV: 57.5%
Cask: Refill Bourbon (9Y), First Fill Spanish Oak Oloroso (2Y)
Age: 11 Year (Distilled 18 Mar. 2010)
Nose: Fruit, creamy, herbal, bubble gum, occasionally spirited, fermented fruits, sour cherries, clotted cream, jasmine tea, peppercorns, candle wax.
Palate: Medium-bodied, oily, waxy, black tea, jasmine tea, custard, cream, flan, brown sugar, peppercorn, drying, sour cherry.
Finish: Medium length with cherry, wood, molasses, and tobacco.
Score: 6-7
Mental Image: Exploring the Discount Scented Candle Rack
Narrative & Notes: The aroma was initially sharp with a spirited prickle but settled down nicely with time or a few drops of water. Funky sour fruits arrived with the fermented guava one might find along a hiking trail and sour cherries. Clotted cream provided a lovely contrast as herbal notes rose to the fore with mint and jasmine tea. Peppercorns poked in occasionally as a beautiful candle wax took hold. The flavor profile was medium-bodied and oily, offering a wealth of herbal tea, creamy dessert, and peppery spice. Notions of strong black tea, occasionally a tad bitter, alternated with jasmine and mint in coming to the front. Waxiness arrived on the mid-palate with custard, caramel flan, and brown sugar pudding. Sour cherries and peppercorns tingled at the end with a drying oak. The finish was medium-length with cherry pits, molasses, and a hint of tobacco.
At a recent local whisky club tasting, this bottle surprised many with its intriguing herbal-creamy profile and lovely waxy mouthfeel. I was not alone in having low expectations coming into this whisky— a Dailuaine finished in an aggressive sherry cask did not sound particularly titillating. None of us could even recall why we added this to the tasting lineup, except perhaps because it was Dailuaine, and we have only offered one prior bottle from the distillery.
Overall, the flavors were interesting, transitioned smoothly, and the mouthfeel had a lovely weight and waxy quality. I was impressed; though, it is easy to be impressed when one expects little from a whisky. Just as Ledaig and Longmorn occasionally suffer the weight of my overblown expectations, distilleries that fly under the radar benefit from a lack of anticipation— or low expectations. The flavors were interesting and well-integrated with some lovely transitions; I would tell you that I will not underestimate Dailuaine again… but by the time I have another pour, I will have forgotten all about this.
