Review #038 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 59.1% Comments: aged 15 years, matured for twelve years in an American Oloroso butt before being transferred to a 1st-fill Spanish oak Oloroso butt for three more years Tasted after: Blair Athol 2008 A Total Wowser! Cask No. 68.78 (SMWS) Appearance (no score): Mahogany color. Was Unable to look for legs due to an apparent water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 17/20 Figs, caramel, blood oranges, and milk chocolate. Palate: 34/40 Honey, raspberry sauce, blackberries, grain cereal, and dark chocolate. Finish: 36/40 Nice long finish. Butter, so much sweet honey butter and cinnamon butter to kick things off. Then it slowly develops some subtle cinnamon and nutmeg flavor. The bitterness gives way to more chocolate, but now it’s extra dark, almost like baking cocoa, ending on what I can only describe on an ashy/charcoal note. With Water: A drop of water brings some additional sweetness to the palate, and saltiness to the finish. Total: 87/100 Final thoughts: Juicy and delicious, probably the best Dailuaine I’ve tried to date and the first one where I’ve gotten some so semblance of smoke or charring. Thanks to my brother @Mark-Watson2 for the sample. Price: gifted sample Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.