Unbeatable QPR in a Standout K&L Exclusive Sherry Cask
2010 Dailuaine 10 Year Old “Sovereign” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(750ml) ($54.99)
“I’m totally in love with this Dailuaine … Deal of the year and an absolutely crushable single cask.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

Our first Scotch container of 2021 brought some unbridled thoroughbreds, but perhaps none more so than this absolutely jaw-dropping 10-year-old sherry butt from our good friends at Sovereign. Dailuaine is a workhouse in the Diageo portfolio, and we rarely see it on the market under its own name, but when we do, it delivers the goods without a doubt. This impeccable cask displays uncommon complexity for its age statement and more than stands up to the sherry influence from the cask. Spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard was simply blown away when he exclaimed, “it has so much gorgeous character I just can’t put it down.” We’ve seen some truly spectacular buys from Sovereign and Dailuaine over the past several years, but it’s safe to say this one takes the cake in terms of the unbeatable quality on offer for a mere $54.99. That incredible QPR combined with the miniscule yield that this cask brought in makes this a certain sell-out in lightning quick fashion, so any fan of sherry-aged Scotch shouldn’t hesitate a moment to add this to their repertoire.

2010 Dailuaine 10 Year Old “Sovereign” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($54.99)

K&L Notes: This first Scotch container of 2021 sees a trio of exceptional, 10- to 12-year-old, sherry-aged malts. Sherried Dailuaine has been a fan-favorite at K&L for years, and we’ve sold 16 different bottlings over the last decade. Given the long-standing relationship many of our customers have with these bottlings, we don’t foresee this being around long. A classic Diageo distillery, Dailuaine has a sizable capacity upwards of 5 million liters per year yet is rarely seen as an official release. Stylistically, it sits somewhere between Clynelish and Blair Athol and shows both a waxy character associated with the former and an inherent sherriness associated with the later. This makes it a perfect candidate to stand up to a big ol’ sherry butt in just a matter of ten years. The quality-to-price ratio makes it one of the best deals of the year.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 26, 2021

I’m totally in love with this Dailuaine. It doesn’t have the oomph of the other two Sovereign sherry bombs, but it has so much gorgeous character I just can’t put it down. The color is old gold. The nose explodes with salted caramel, baked apple, figs, fresh walnuts, exotic honey and hints of golden raisins. It doesn’t feel like the sherry was Oloroso, but maybe instead a lighter, fresher style—maybe even an Amontillado or something of that nature, although it doesn’t have any of the funk you get from a Fino cask. On the palate, the malt stands up nicely, offering a bit of dark, roasted fruit, figgy pudding, and fresh, zesty spice. This guy is surprisingly balanced at the high proof, and while the water softens it up, I don’t think it really needs it. Deal of the year and an absolutely crushable single cask.

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 24, 2021

This isn’t a particularly popular distillery, and many people might balk at the young age statement here, but it would be a mistake to overlook this cask of Scotch. The nose pours forth with ginger brightness, caramel-covered apricots, new leather, and melon. Pleasantly light on the tongue, more notes of leather and orchard fruit come out along with tobacco and tingly spices flowing into a long finish of honey. I recommend adding a few drops of water to this one to bring out flavors of pineapple and peaches & cream.