The very rare, exclusive (and slightly spooky) appearance of one of Scotland’s biggest distilleries that only a special few scant drops ever make it into the world as a single malt whisky. It’s the utterly fabulous 750ml bottling of a 2016 Dalmunach 8-year-old single malt whisky!
The Duncan Taylor Dalmunach 2016 8-year-old is a single ex-bourbon cask (no.10843869) matured for 8 years at the distillery, then split into the smaller (French oak ex-sherry) Octave casks and finished in these for a further 9 months before being re-married and bottled exclusively for the Single Malt Whisky Club at a delicious 46% abv. Oh… nearly forgot to mention, this has been bottled in 750ml bottles, so an extra dram than usual per bottle – JOY!
This 2016 Dalmunach (like July’s Malt of the Month, the Duncan Taylor 2008 Glenrothes) has undergone finishing in Duncan Taylor’s ‘Octave’ program. The ‘Octave’ program involves finishing the whisky in small – Octave – casks of around 70 litres capacity. These Octaves are hand selected French oak casks whose smaller size (hence larger surface to area ratio) means more interaction between the spirit and the wood – speeding up the finishing time for the whisky.
The Duncan Taylor Dalmunach 2016 8-year-old is a single ex-bourbon cask (no.10843869) matured for 8 years at the distillery, then split into the smaller (French oak ex-sherry) Octave casks and finished in these for a further 9 months before being re-married and bottled exclusively for the Single Malt Whisky Club at a delicious 46% abv. Oh… nearly forgot to mention, this has been bottled in 750ml bottles, so an extra dram than usual per bottle – JOY!
This 2016 Dalmunach (like July’s Malt of the Month, the Duncan Taylor 2008 Glenrothes) has undergone finishing in Duncan Taylor’s ‘Octave’ program. The ‘Octave’ program involves finishing the whisky in small – Octave – casks of around 70 litres capacity. These Octaves are hand selected French oak casks whose smaller size (hence larger surface to area ratio) means more interaction between the spirit and the wood – speeding up the finishing time for the whisky.
Dalmunach Distillery was built (by Pernot Ricard) on the site of the old Imperial Distillery (which had made whisky for inclusion in such blends as Teacher’s, Ballantine’s and Old Smuggler) which had closed years before. Work began in the new distillery in 2013 and much of the materials from the old Imperial distillery were re-used in the new Dalmunach distillery. The end result is truly a thing of architectural beauty, sitting on the edge of the pool on the River Spey that the distillery is named for. What an impressive (and thoroughly modern) distillery it is – 16 washbacks (where fermentation occurs) of 59,000l each, 8 stills of 30,000l capacity each (4 wash stills, 4 spirit stills) all producing over 10 MILLION litres of 69%abv new make every year. And yet, effectively 0% of that vast amount of whisky is ever released under the distilleries own label.
Now Dalmunach distillery is both a comparatively young distillery (completed 2015) and now one of Scotland’s biggest producers at around 10 million litres per year output. Conversely – it has one of the LOWEST outputs of self-branded single malt whiskies of all the Scottish distilleries. All but a dribble of Dalmunach’s wonderful spirit goes into such blends as Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, 100 Pipers and Royal Salute (to name a few). The Dalmunach style is light, fruity and floral – which makes it perfect for balancing out heavier malts and providing those lighter ‘top’ notes in these blends.
With so much of the Dalmunach spirit being used in these blends, we’re fortunate that some Indy bottlers like Duncan Taylor are able to snag limited quantities before it’s blended away. Duncan Taylor are one of the biggest and most respected independent bottlers in the world. Founded in 1938, originally established in Glasgow and later relocating to Huntly in Aberdeenshire. Duncan Taylor owns one of the largest privately held collections of rare and aged Scotch whisky casks, including many from now-closed (silent) distilleries.
OUR TASTING NOTES
Nose: Fresh grated granny smith apples, mixed peel and marmalade with a lovely floral note drifting over top
Palate: Deliciously viscous mouthfeel with a warmth that builds – but isn’t at all prickly – it’s not a pepper or ginger type heat, rather a mellow warmth. Lovely, minced fruit notes, a dash of Werther’s Original and just a pinch of vanilla.
Finish: A medium body, but lengthy finish. Fruit-cakey-with-all-the-spices on top of baked apple, caramel and a delightful gentle warmth that lingers like embers.
I just love the combination of flavours that this Octave program imparts on ex-bourbon matured whiskies. All the fruitcake you could want from a sherry finish – but with those deep seated vanillas, florals and citrus notes that add those delightful ‘top notes’. That gentle warmth that goes right through to the end makes it delightful on the palate. A fantastic whisky that won’t overpower first-timers (it’s just so easy to drink) – but will give the ‘whisky geeks’ lots to discuss over a dram or three!
YYYour chance to grab another Australian exclusive Cu Bocan!
FROM DUNCAN TAYLOR
For upwards of 40 years the team at Duncan Taylor has experimented by maturing whiskies in smaller casks with great success. Our research stemmed from the simple premise that there is more wood interaction with whisky over a shorter period of time in a small cask than in a large cask, therefore allowing a more rapid melding of wood, air and alcohol.
After a second maturation the octave casks (around 70 litre) have refined the whisky, enhancing its hue, taste, form and character. The flavour profile is gently expanded, a little more sophisticated with the commanding presence of a mature, well-balanced Scotch whisky. They have become ‘Octave Invigorated™. The Octave Collection is limited but with something for all tastes.
Nose: Citrusy elements with Apple juice and salted caramel
Palate: Warm Bread ,Creamy sweets, Fudge and pencil shavings
ABOUT DUNCAN TAYLOR
The family owned Scotch Whisky specialist was officially registered as Duncan Taylor & Co – a cask broker and trading company – on the 27th of May 1938, at the business address of 20 Renfield Street, in Glasgow, Scotland.
In the 1960s, the late Abe Rosenberg, a native New Yorker who had made his fortune importing J&B Scotch to America just after World War II, bought the Scottish-owned Duncan Taylor & Co and began storing casks that he purchased from premium distilleries.
Although blends were Rosenberg’s business, the premium single malts and single grains that went into those blends were his passion.
In 2002, eight years after Rosenberg’s death, whisky merchant Euan Shand returned Duncan Taylor & Co to Scottish hands when he acquired the company and its prized collection of single malts, single grains and aged blended whiskies.
Under Euan’s ownership, the company has grown into a global enterprise, with international presence in more than 60 countries and decorated brands with prestigious awards from around the world.
Today, the company sits on the periphery of Speyside, in the heart of scenic Huntly, Aberdeenshire. It continues to lay down premium casks from various distilleries around the world, brokers casks, artistically stores and matures casks, blends and bottles for the global scotch whisky market.
More than 80 years after the company was first registered, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky is recognised on the global stage as one of the most innovative and dynamic whisky companies and has continued to act as a reputable whisky merchant, blender, bottler and cask broker.
The multi award winning company has built a reputation for its ownership of one of the largest privately held collections of some of the world’s most sought after vintage and rare whiskies. A new chapter begins at Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd, Shawn Smith is the new Director of Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, following the announcement in April, that Chairman Euan Shand retired. Shawn brings a wealth of experience in technology finance and whisky and will continue the mantel as a family-owned business where Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky has amassed an impressive portfolio of vintage and rare scotch whisky casks.
