Founded in 1852 by William Mackenzie, Dailuaine Distillery is located near the village of Aberlour in Speyside. Expansion during the nineteenth century saw the distillery become the biggest single malt producer in the region. Dailuaine was the first Scottish distillery to install a "pagoda" roof (known as the Doig Ventilator), a feature that would become a familiar sight across Scotland's distillery landscape over the following years. Sadly, Dailuaine's was destroyed by a fire in 1917, which also saw the distillery itself closed for three years.
The spirit produced is often described as rich, weighty and subtly savoury in character. Limited official bottlings and Dailuaine's meaty spirit have long made it a favourite among independent bottlers. This robust character performs well across a variety of cask types, from classic sherry maturation to more unusual wine and rum finishes. Bourbon casks often highlight the distillery's malty and fruity character, while nurturing longer maturations can bring interesting depth and complexity.
