One of the first bottles from the newly redesigned Connoisseurs Choice 2018 outturn from Gordan & MacPhail.

This is a bottling of Dailuaine whisky, a greatly underrated distillery which is somewhat under the shadow of its neighbour, Aberlour. Found in the village of the same name, this Speysider has drawn comparisons to Mortlach for the complexity and poise of its spirit. Highly prized by blenders, Dailuaine is used to create Diageo’s famous Johnnie Walker blends. The name translates as “Green Valley”.

This 1998 vintage has been aged in a couple of refill American oak Hogsheads for 19 years.

The result is a gently flavoured and subtly complex whisky. The mouthfeel is full and oily, with rich notes of tropical fruit and berries, a little peppery spice, toffee sweetness, some crisp, slightly dusty oak and touches of woodspice.

Bottled at 46% ABV and without chill filtration, this ensures the whisky’s full flavours are retained.

A wonderfully old-fashioned bottling of this massively underrated distillery. Just 670 bottles were produced.

• Product type
  Single Malt
• Distillery / brand
  Dailuaine
• Country
  Scotland
• Region
  Speyside
• Bottler
  Gordon & MacPhail
• Distillation date
  1998
• Bottling date
  14th of March 2018
• Age
  19 years old
• Non-chillfiltered
  Yes
• Natural colour
  Yes
• SKU
  030141