Dailuaine 1998/2015 AD. Rattray

My last review for the year 2015, so why not a whisky that was bottled this year? My first entry for Dailuaine comes from the independent bottler AD. Rattray.

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Description: a 16yo bourbon matured whisky from 1998, finished in sherry hogshead #1525, bottled at 55.2% ABV by AD. Rattray in 2015.

Nose: sweet, soft and honeyed at first glance: apple juice and sunflower oil, with a touch of cherry yogurt! Do I detect some traces of (brewers) yeast in there as well? (With water added: the sweet fruity profile becomes more expressive, but also develops a mineral hint.)

Mouth: auwch, first dram of the evening: the cask strength hits hard. The body is rich and round, the palate is a bouquet of apple juice, citrus and coffee with a clear pepper edge. (With water added: little has changed, palate remains strong, maybe the addition of a touch of bourbon wood?)

Finish: lingering tingling of black pepper

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Verdict: this is what my mother would qualify as the perfect son-in-law for my sisters: refined, rich, well-dressed, from a decent bourbon family, with a degree in sherry. Though all work and no play, also makes it a bit dull, in my opinion.

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