Whisky Review/Tasting: Dailuaine Provenance 9 years 2007

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: The whisky is from the Dailuaine distillery.
Type: Single malt Scotch whisky.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Distilled in January 2007 and bottled in November 2016, making it a 9-year-old whisky. It was matured in a refill hogshead, which previously held bourbon in the US. The hogshead is made from the staves of four American Standard barrels, refurbished into a slightly larger cask.
Age Statement: 9 years.
Color and Clarity: The whisky is unchill-filtered and no coloring is added, resulting in a slightly hazy appearance under certain conditions, such as exposure to frost.
Bottle Design: The specific design details are not mentioned, but the bottle includes information about the distillation and bottling dates, and it is one of 347 bottles.

Balance of Flavors: The whisky presents a balance between smooth vanilla cream and cereal with lively citrus and stone fruit notes.
Unique Characteristics: Notable for its fresh layers of zesty lemon rind, grapefruit, and white peach, balanced with smooth vanilla cream and cereal. The finish is sweet with barley and ripe pears.
Comparison: The flavor profile is distinct with a heavy fruity malt character, complemented by cereal notes. The second-fill hogshead maturation emphasizes the distillery's character over the influence of caramel and vanilla typically imparted by the cask.

Interesting Stories: The detailed explanation of the cask's history and the process of unchill filtering, including the formation of micelles and potential appearance of white flakes, adds depth to the understanding of this whisky's production and characteristics.

Significance: The use of a refill hogshead cask, originally used for bourbon in the US, and the emphasis on the distillery's character over the cask influence, highlight the whisky's Scottish origin and the traditional practices of Scotch whisky production.

Opinions and Quotes: Horst Luening, the master taster, appreciates the distillery's decision to label the whisky with a single-digit age statement and praises the unchill-filtered, no coloring approach. He describes the flavor profile in detail, emphasizing the balance and unique characteristics of the whisky.

9-year-old single malt Scotch whisky from Dailuaine distillery.
Matured in a refill hogshead cask with no chill filtering or added coloring.
Flavor profile includes zesty lemon, grapefruit, white peach, vanilla cream, and cereal, with a sweet finish of barley and ripe pears.
The production process and cask history are highlighted, emphasizing traditional Scotch whisky practices.
The whisky is praised for its balance, unique flavor profile, and emphasis on distillery character.

Whisky Enthusiasts: Those interested in the nuances of cask influence and unchill-filtered whiskies will find this review insightful.
Beginners: New whisky drinkers might appreciate the detailed explanation of flavors and the production process, making it an educational choice.
Collectors: The limited bottling (one of 347) and the detailed backstory make it an attractive addition to a collection.
Fans of Fruity Whiskies: Individuals who enjoy a heavy fruity malt profile with balanced cereal notes would likely enjoy this whisky.