A 12-year-old Dailuaine bottled by the folks at Hunter Laing in honour of the 20th anniversary of the first Old Malt Cask bottling. Distilled in June 2006 and bottled in July 2018. Independent bottlings are the only way to try anything other than heavily-sherried Dailuaine, and this release shows a lighter side to the distillery, without losing its traditionally weighty character.

Nose - Honey, bread and butter pudding and tropical fruits lead with spicy gingerbread and cigar box wood underneath.

Palate - Apple blossom, butterscotch and barley sugars are livened by fiery cinnamon.

Finish - Brown sugar and a little sea salt.

Rarely seen as a single malt bottling (the occasional Flora & Fauna from owner Diageo, infrequent independent offerings) Dailuaine is one of the many hard-working distilleries which quietly provide fillings for blends. That doesn’t mean it is in any way boring.