Dallas Dhu 26yo 1979/2006 (58.2%, MMcD Mission Gold, Bourbon / Marsanne, Guigal St. Joseph Blanc Casks, 240 Bts.)

Another single malt from a closed distillery (intact and a whisky making museum but not producing) with an extraordinary provenance; distilled in Speyside, matured at an undisclosed location, matured in ex American bourbon casks, enhanced in Guigal St. Joseph Blanc Casks and finally bottled at Bruichladdich in 2006. However the provenance is not complete; “Not coloured, Not Chill Filtered, Casks Selected by Jim McEwan and cask Strength’. Well. The color is deep red but with a slight pinkish hue, almost a ruby red. The nose is strong with cold unsweetened black tea, lashings of brown Demerara sugar and Christmas cake. This is doing an excellent impersonation of a whisky matured in a really good sherry cask. Extraordinary. Are Bourbon/Marsanne, Guigal St. Joseph Blanc Casks the alternative expensive sulphur tainted sherry butts? Not likely, but it does give pause as it was so unexpected. (Just source some good sherry butts). After some time in the glass some fragrant notes emerge, juniper and heather. The taste is strong and then very dry, however some sweetness emerges along with some Amontillado sherry notes (the creaminess that comes from this type of sherry) along with some depth in the form walnut shells, linseed oil and clove. This is quite complex with layers of flavour. One is forced to conclude that the ‘distillery character’ has been obliterated but it’ a fine dram if you can move past that point. The finish is more of the Amontillado sherry notes and then a blast of oak spice and black pepper before leveling off to sweetness and some more dryness. The finish is long and good. A late arrival of the cold unsweetened black tea and finally, finally some really good black liquorice.

Well worth the experience. A special thanks to Dr. Jane Cameron for this generous gift.

$unknown

Score 89

Sample Image

 The second in series of Scotch whisky reviews this week that feature samples from 24 years of age to 41 years of age.