Reviews of scotch and world whiskies by a history professor, his wife, bird, and three cats.

Dailuaine 13 Year (2007), Hidden Spirits Cask DU721

Dailuaine 13 Year (2007), Hidden Spirits Cask DU721

Whisky: Dailuaine 13 Year (2007), Hidden Spirits Cask DU721

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 52.1%

Cask: Jamaican Rum Cask Finish

Age: 13 Years (Distilled 2007, Bottled 2021)


Nose: Green apples and buttercream frosting; hints of candied ginger and almond with citrusy lemon marmalade; a touch of coconut, bruised pineapple, and green wood at times.

Palate: Medium-bodied, very oily, orchard fruit and citrus opened with fresh lumber, bruised pineapple, and red earth; peppery spirit popped on the mid-palate and tingled through to the end, more wood at the backend.

Finish: Medium-length with peppery spirit, bruised tropical fruits, and earth.


Score: 6 (77)

Mental Image: Baking While Building the Patisserie

Narrative & Notes: Green apples dominated the sweet and slightly creamy aroma, with citrus and bruised tropical fruits hiding behind candied ginger.  The apples carried over to the oily and medium-bodied palate, which featured green grape skins, lumber, and some peppery spirit.  The finish was much the same, with pepper and bruised tropical fruits over mellow earth.

Balanced and well-structured, I found the whisky a bit too youthful and sweet for my taste. I am also not a big fan of green apple notes and those were just everywhere on this whisky— though I would not have complained had they pushed out more of the oak and peppery spirit.  The whole thing felt a bit raw and unrefined, not nearly as juicy or rich as I expected.

Overall, I might accept a pour of this, but I would not seek it out. Otherwise, I thought it made for a great highball.

Image Credit: Whisky Auctioneer

Dailuaine 13 Year (2006), SMWS 41.126 “Garden Bonfire Dram”

Dailuaine 13 Year (2006), SMWS 41.126 “Garden Bonfire Dram”

Dailuaine 12 Year (2010), Thompson Brothers

Dailuaine 12 Year (2010), Thompson Brothers