Dailuaine Scotch Whisky.

Dailuaine Whisky Distillery Information

Founded in 1851 by William Mackenzie

Location Speyside Region Aberlour District

Water source Bailliemullich Burn

Dailuaine Whisky distilling Equipment

Stainless steel mash tun

3 wash and 3 spirit pot stills

Matured in a combination of American oak bourbon and European sherry casks.

Dailuaine Whisky Distillery History

A local farmer called William Mackenzie established the Dailuaine distillery in 1851.

Positioned in a hollow with river meadows all around it was named Dail Uaine, Gaelic for ‘green valley’.

When William Mackenzie died in 1865 his widow, Jane, became one of the numerous early Scottish women distillers. She leased the distillery to Thomas Mackenzie/James Fleming partnership in 1878. They reconstructed the distillery during 1885-87. Becoming the Dailuaine-Glenlivet Distillery Limited in 1890.

Eight years later the partnership was reorganised after merging with the Talisker Distillery Ltd. Forming the Dailuaine-Talisker Distilleries Co Ltd at the same time another distillery, Imperial founded by Thomas Mackenzie, joined the group.

During 1916 DCL acquired an initial stake in the company, the following year much of the 1884 reconstruction disappears in a fire. However the red Victorian post-box set into the warehouse wall (still used) shows that some parts remain. The distillery was promptly rebuilt during 1917.

In 1925 Dailuaine-Talisker Distilleries Co Ltd become part of DCL then SMD in 1930.

Electric light arrived at the distillery in the 1920’s however steam and water powered operations well into the 1950s. The original stills were a three-unit set-up of one large wash still and two small spirit stills. By the 1950s this had been converted to a two-pair layout.

After another fire the 1960 rebuild saw the stills expanded from 4 to 6 and the floor maltings converted to a Saladin Box system, which, although not used since 1983, is still in situ.

The distillery had its rail connection with the Straithspey line complete with its own steam locomotive. A 0-4- 0 “pug” purchased just before World War II The rail link was lost when Dr. Beeching of British Railways axed the Strathspey line in 1967. However part of the Strathspey line has been revived by enthusiasts and the much-loved pug is now part of the locomotive stock at Aviemore.

The 100-acre farm at Carron Mains, first leased by the Mackenzie family, is still attached to the distillery and produces beef cattle and grain.

The whisky distilled is one of main components of Johnnie Walker blends.

Dailuaine Distillery Bottlings

Dailuaine Aged 16 Years (Flora and Fauna)

Dailuaine Distillery Bottlings

Dailuaine 1980 Cask Strength Limited Bottling

Dailuaine Aged 22 Years (Rare Malts Selection).

Dailuaine Whisky Independent Bottlings.

Adelphi,

Berry’s Own Selection

Blackadder

Chieftain’s (Ian Macleod),

Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail),

Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing).

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