Dailuaine 1983 Review



Country: Scotland 
Region: Highland - Speyside
Brand: Dailuaine 1983 (Archives) - First Release
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age:  28 Years
ABV: 47.3 %
Date: 02/07/2013

Colour: Light Gold

Nose: You have to be patient because this Dailuaine takes her time to open up. Mineral and White Wine tones are quickly replaced by Ripe Fruit and Flowery Notes. I get Citrus (Lemon and Orange), Mango, Papaya, Strawberry, Heather, Honey, Grass, Earth and Straw. Also some Malt, Butter and Vanilla. Hardly any Oak despite its 28 years. The Alcohol is nicely hidden amongst the other Aromas. 

Palate: The Oak, Pepper and Wood Spice are much clearer now. In a way the Palate is much more aggressive than the Nose would lead you to believe. Underneath it all the Fruit is still there of course, especially Strawberry, Mandarin and Grapefruit. I also get Malt, Buttered Puff Pastry, Ginger, Vanilla (Custard Pudding) and Caramel.

Finish: Nice but on the short side with clear Lemon, Ginger and Vanilla accompanied by Spices like Pepper, Cloves and Nutmeg. Also some Nuts, Oak, Apple, Mandarin and a touch of Menthol at the end. The Cloves and Nutmeg stay with you a bit longer and certainly make you want to take another sip.

I added a bit of Water and the Citrus gets even stronger on the Nose, especially Lemon. On the Palate the added Water helps to subdue the Oak and Spice somewhat but on the Palate and especially in the Finish, Menthol and slightly bitter Nuts become too dominant. Better sip it neat.

Rating: 86.5

Nose: 21. 5 - Taste: 21.5 - Finish: 22 - Overall: 21.5


General Remarks: Archives is the relatively young own label of Independent Whisky Bottler Whiskybase from the Netherlands. This Dailuaine (First Release) was distilled on February 23, 1983 and was bottled at Cask Strength on January 4, 2012. It matured in Hogshead # 865. Two hundred and Sixty-Five bottles were reserved by Whiskybase. This whisky is non chill-filtered and non coloured. The 1983 expression is sold at around 110 US Dollars.

The Dailuaine Distillery (Green Valley in Gaelic) was built in 1852 and is part of the Diageo Group since 1998. It has an annual production capacity of 3,4 million litres of Alcohol. Most of the production is used in the Johnnie Walker Blends. Occasionally, good casks are sold to Independent  Bottlers like Whiskybase.

Drinking Experience Neat: Very Nice

Conclusion: The Nose is slightly introvert perhaps but still well done. A very nice combination of Fruit and Flowers. On the Palate this Single Malt is much more robust and Oak, Pepper and Wood Spice take the lead causing the Fruit to retire to the background. The Finish is perhaps the best part of this Dailuaine. Lemon, Vanilla and a handful of very clear Spices, especially Cloves make you long for another sip. It's not the most balanced of Single Malts I have tasted but it's still highly enjoyable.

Jan van den Ende                                                                  July 2013


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