Category Archives: Weymss Malts

Dailuaine, Dailuaine, Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar 2015, Weymss Malts

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar dram # 24 – Weymss Malt’s “Old Spiced Balm.” 29yo Dailuaine, Cask # 4339

 

Region – Speyside – ABV – 46%

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar 2015

Excited that I’ve got a Dailuaine in my glass.

Primarily used in blends, Dailuaine is another distillery you never see bottlings from unless they’re independently bottled or in a “Flora and Fauna” bottling.

Having said that, Diageo have just released a bottling of a 34yo Dailuaine for around £380/$550.

Not a bad price for a 34yo whisky, I suppose. Could be worse! Could be an over hyped, over-priced bourbon. (I’m looking at you Pappy van Stagg-Weller.)

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar 2015

Dailuaine is a favorite of mine and often times reminds me of one of my favorite people: Bill Morgan.  Bill Morgan is a gent who’s had quite a life in the whisky biz and was actually born at the Dailuaine Distillery.

To find more out about Bill, and read a few of his stories, click here.

On the nose — Tamer than the majority of Dailuaines I’ve reviewed.

Softly spiced. Hearts of palm, cigarette ash, mahogany tables, and etrog (slight citrus note).

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar 2015Kicks in a little more here: Havdalah spices (cinnamon, bay leaves, cloves, and others), mountain high fall air, new rain on new tar, tarred telephone poles.

In the mouth — Heaven, really.  All of the above in liquid form and with a righteous spicy kick.

Finish — Lasting with Havdalah spices.

In sum — Yet another shining Dailuaine. It started off a bit soft but the whole experience ramped up after a few minutes in the glass and I ended the experience wanting another pour. That’s a sign of a good whisky.

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar 2015, Weymss Malts, Weymss Malts

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar dram # 4 – Wemyss Malts “Velvet Fig” blended malt Scotch whisky

 

Region – a blend of regions mayhaps – 46% ABV

Scotch Whisky Advent CalendarHere we are, day 4 of the Advent calendar, and 21 more days to go!

Today in our glasses we have a Wemyss Malts-malt called “Velvet Fig.”

Aside from Wemyss Malts creating cracker after cracker, they come up with some inventive names to describe the whiskies they bottle.  “Velvet Fig” tells me that this dram should be soft, silky, perhaps a little sexy, rich, and comforting.

Bottled at 46%, it should be very approachable, too. While I generally stand by the motto of “Go Cask Strength or Go Home,” I will abide a minimum of 46% ABV. It’s at 46% ABV where you defo do not need to chill-filter the whisky and there is no artificial caramel coloring (or colouring, depending on where you hail from).

Let’s see how sexy-soft-silky-rich this whisky is…

On the nose — Ah, younger sherried whisky!  Reminiscent of a younger Glenfarclas bottling I’ve had.  Not very soft but wonderfully rich.

Scotch Whisky Advent CalendarRum cured raisins, Nürnberger Lebkuchen, crushed cherries soaking in grappa, a hint of peat around the edges (perhaps my mind’s playing tricks on me), recently extinguished apple pie scented candle.

Cinnamon, nutmeg, spice, and everything nice.

In the mouth —Here’s where the velvet comes in. This whisky slides on your tongue like warm walnut oil slides across a teflon coated pan.

Scotch Whisky Advent CalendarWhile the flavors do take a moment to kick in, when they do, we’re presented with: fig preserves meets navy style rum meets milk chocolate bars filled with raises and filberts.

Brown sugar toaster tarts covered in brown sugar frosting leads into a softening finish…

Finish —  This ends just as softly as it began on the palate. Short and quiet yet the flavors and scents we experienced bring you in for more.

In sum —  Not a bad little dram. I would have liked a little more of a finish but I could see myself just having some much needed me time with a glass of this whisky.  When the kids have gone to bed, pour this one, open your favorite book and just relax…