Dailuaine 2012/2022 - Malts of Scotland
You don't see Dailuaine bottlings that often. So we are all the more delighted to once again have a dram from this distillery in our glass. The single malt matured for around 10 years in a bourbon hogshead was bottled, as always unfiltered and uncoloured, in 2022 by Malts of Scotland as a Corona Edition.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The Dailuaine reveals its complexity from the very first inhalation. A malty base is accompanied by sultanas soaked in rum and a hint of cream and custard. The fragrance is dense and rich, almost heavy. Another inhale and the flavours of buttery red apple crumble, pear and peach syrup emerge. The olfactory experience is rounded off with notes of honey, pear and butter biscuits. A hint of cream caramel and sultanas gives the whisky a pleasant sweetness, which is complemented by hints of apple sauce, vanilla and coconut shell.
Palate
On the palate, the Single Malt unfolds with an oily, rich texture. The interplay of apple-pear compote and vanilla custard forms the prelude, followed by a subtle herbal note and a hint of wine gum. The lemon zest adds a refreshing citrus note that harmonises perfectly with the buttery apple crumble. White grape, rum and stewed pear contribute to the fruity depth, while hints of varnished wood and ginger add a spicy complexity. This bottling offers a rare balance between fruit, sweetness and spice that we really like.
Finish
The finish of the Speysider is long-lasting and warming. A gentle spiciness, dominated by pepper and ginger, leaves a pleasant aftertaste. Mixed fruits marinated in rum, apple crumble and a subtle woody note round off the experience.
Thoughts
Marcel 80/100
A genuine pleasure that’s fun and full of character – the Dailuaine 2012 from Malts of Scotland impresses with its fruity sweetness and buttery apple notes. For me, it’s a bottling you’re happy to pour yourself another glass of, even if it doesn’t quite reach the absolute highlights.
Sascha 80/100
Technically clean and well balanced, this Speyside presents a complex fruit structure and a successful balance between sweetness and spice. Despite the high strength, the Dailuaine 2012 feels somewhat conventional and could offer more depth and tension.
Value for Money: Good
Discover our value for money winnersRelated Reviews
Glen Spey 2015/2023 - Sansibar
Young whiskies with over 60 % ABV can either be real insider tips or completely impetuous alcohol clubs. The Glen Spey 2015/2023 from Sansibar with 60.1% ABV lies somewhere in between. Sometimes it is round and pleasant, sometimes you wonder whether it could have done with a few more years in the cask.
75/100
Auchroisk 2010/2023 12 Years - Sansibar
The Auchroisk 2010/2023, matured for 12 years and bottled by the independent bottler Sansibar, is a single malt whisky from Speyside that demands attention. With a strong alcohol content of 60.80 % ABV, it brings a strong presence to the glass, but will not suit all tastes.
72/100
Glentauchers 11 Years 2012/2024 - Signatory Vintage
The Glentauchers distillery in Speyside is one of the lesser-known but not exactly small distilleries. This is primarily because there is no visitor center, and most of the production is used in blended whiskies. Besides its own core range bottling, there are occasionally independently bottled Glentauchers malts. Today, we sampled the 11-years from the 100 Proof series by Signatory Vintage. The latter is very popular with us, and we were looking forward to this dram.
83/100Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Dailuaine 2012/2022 from Malts of Scotland special as a Corona Edition?
The Corona Edition of the Dailuaine 2012/2022 is a limited release bottled in 2022 at 57.1% ABV, unfiltered and uncoloured, matured in a Bourbon hogshead. Such special editions are particularly valued by collectors and connoisseurs due to their rarity and untouched character.
How does maturation in a Bourbon hogshead influence the flavor of this Dailuaine whisky?
Maturation in a Bourbon hogshead imparts the whisky’s characteristic sweetness and vanilla notes, which blend with fruity aromas like apple, pear, and peach. The oak cask also contributes buttery and caramel nuances, making the tasting experience rich and complex.
Which flavor notes make the Dailuaine 2012/2022 especially complex compared to other Speyside whiskies?
This Dailuaine stands out through a combination of a malty base, rum-soaked raisins, creamy caramel, apple-pear compote, herbs, and a spicy pepper-ginger note. The balance between fruit, sweetness, and spice, along with a long, warming finish, makes it particularly complex.