Dailuaine 11yo SMOS
2024 Kirsch Germany Exclusive | 58.3% ABV
Score: 5/10
Average.
TL;DR
’Decent’, but these days I’m not sure that’s good enough
I Don’t Need More Whisky
I WANT more whisky.
For many of us, there really is no justification for having as much whisky as we have. Rationally speaking, that is. Even with a fairly modest ‘collection’ (that word really doesn’t cover it well, because I don’t buy to collect, I buy to drink. ‘Selection’ or ‘stock’ only seem marginally better) like mine, friends and family can’t help but either laugh or frown, sometimes it’s both whenever I open my cabinet. Which, to be fair, is pretty crammed and stacked with bottles.
My only line of defence, and I’ll admit it’s a feeble one, is that I tend to also write about the stuff I drink and, in order to have something new to write about, one has to ‘acquire new writing topics.’
Closer to the truth probably, is that we’re all dealing with serious cases of curiosity killing - if not the cat, then certainly the purse. I’ve stated before that I don’t really suffer from FOMO, and with a packed cabinet it definitely isn’t FORO (fear of running out) either, but certainly there has to be something, some sort of irrational trigger or drive that convinces us, against all the evidence, that yet another bottle of whisky is just what we need.
I’m by no means into Imelda Marcos territory yet, and it’s not even as if my bottles are on display for the joy and excitement of being able to see them; so the only justification I can really come up with is that I find it fun. Not just having a lot of whisky, obviously, but the opportunities they present.
I’ve already argued the ‘writing about them bit’, but it doesn’t stop there. I think one of the main reasons is that I look forward to sharing it with others: to see their reactions, to discuss and compare tasting notes and generally to just interact socially over a shared dram.
So why do I buy the stuff I buy and ignore or neglect all the others? It doesn’t really help, as a discerning whisky enthusiast/botherer/explorer, that whisky in its many shapes and forms is pretty much everywhere. Since trying to chase ‘em all simply isn’t an option, one has no choice but to adopt a more sensible approach. I can only speak for myself, but I feel that irrational as buying whisky many times over is, there is some method to the madness.
There are the obvious variables like budget, shelf space and (mental) health to be taken into account. And this already narrows things down considerably, even then there’s literally thousands of options.
To narrow things further, we (as in: I) add extra variables into the equation. Do I know the producer? Do I trust the producer for delivering quality at a reasonable and correct price? If both of the previous answers are yes, then it’s easy to proceed, provided all the previous variables are crossed and ticked too.
If the answers are no, then it is a matter of either taking the punt more or less in good faith (price often being a decisive factor) or to see if there is someone you know and trust to have a good judgement on the potential purchase. Usually this is where a WhiskyTube channel or a website like Dramface comes into play. The latter comes with the additional perk that as part of the team I know most of my fellow contributors quite well by now and therefore know what floats their boats.
Review
Dailuaine 11yo, 2012 - 2024 Single Malts of Scotland, exclusive for Germany through Kirsch Import, matured in a butt, 563 bottles, 58.3% ABV
£42 paid at auction, still some retail availability too
By and large, I really like Dailuaine, if only for the fact that they happily ignore the preconception that Speyside whiskies are light and fruity. Hah! Think again, as Dailulaine tends to be dense, viscous, oily, and with a bit of an ‘industrial’ vibe. If Benromach is the Springbank of the north, then Dailuaine might well be the Ben Nevis of Speyside. Oddly, my soft spot for Dailuaine comes entirely from indie releases, as I never really got along with their one official release – the 15 yo Flora & Fauna. Unpopular opinion, but there you go.
It’s one of many often unsung heroes owned by Diageo, and by and large one that tends to get the more ‘invested’ whisky enthusiast excited. Which was pretty much what convinced me to pull the trigger when this German market bottle showed up on auction. I know and like the distillery, the price was very reasonable and I’ve never had a bottle from Single Malts of Scotland that wasn’t at the very least decent.
The (inevitable?) outcome: yet another bottle added to Earie’s cabinet…
Score: 5/10
Average. In a good way.
TL;DR
’Decent’, but these days I’m not sure that’s good enough
Nose
‘Heavy’ on the oily side of things – immediately it becomes clear why so often we refer to this distillery as ‘dirty Dailuaine’ – with that somewhat industrial/workshop aroma. The density continues with syrupy notes of forest fruit, treacle and cold brew coffee. With some added water the fruit and treacle notes are accentuated, while that industrial vibe is diminished somewhat.
Palate
Viscous arrival with distinctive treacle and coffee notes. Then the ABV kicks in, turning things hot, feisty and peppery. Adding water it is then diluted to around 52% ABV, and it takes the edge off that feistiness, making it definitely more palatable. The viscous mouthfeel remains intact, but unfortunately on the palate it also becomes a bit generic. What I’m mostly getting now is a bit of everything mixed together, but all in a diffused and diluted manner. If I really try, I can just about pick out some wood and leather and a bit of that dirty oiliness with a subdued general fruity sweetness mixed into it. That’s about it.
The Dregs
There are definitely interesting things to be found, albeit most of them are happening on the nose. Sipping this neat to me felt a bit too hot to handle, whilst adding water made me feel as if I quickly drowned things, wiping out some of the flavours. Usually adding water to a cask strength whisky helps to open things up, allowing more flavour compounds to be revealed. Here it was pretty much the other way around.
I’m still enjoying this for what it is, as it is perfectly decent and the mouthfeel and texture remain well intact, but I can’t deny that halfway through the bottle I am still to really connect with this whisky. Sometimes I feel as if this is down to me, but I’m now getting a nagging suspicion it’s because I’m searching for something that perhaps isn’t there.
Consumption tip for this one: enjoy it over a bit of Ween!
Do you ever walk alone?
Like a drifter in the dark?
Seeking out what isn't there
Looking only for a spark
Score: 5/10
Tried this? Share your thoughts in the comments below. EA
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