Dailuaine 16 year old Flora and Fauna review

This Dailuaine 16 year old single malt is part of the Flora and Fauna collection by Diageo. Dailuaine malt whisky distillery was founded in 1852 and is located in Charlestown-of-Aberlour, Strathspey in the Speyside region. Weird, but only 2% of its malt whisky is actually sold as single malt by UDV under their Fauna and Flora label. Rest of the malt, 98% is used for blended whiskies such as Johnnie Walker.

Photo by The Whisky Exchange of the first release

Originally these whiskies brought up by UDV and Diageo had no name name. The late, famous whisky and beer writer Michael Jackson nicknamed them “Flora and Fauna” because of the various depictions on the labels.

Matured in Ex-Sherry casks and having a very smooth palate, it is as stereotypical Speysider as a whisky can be.

THE CHERRY ORCHARD all over

Dailuaine 16yo Flora and Fauna was part of a Speyside blind tasting, I attended in our local whisky community. It was a bit of a shocker as well. Quite old, yet quite modest whisky. Very delicate single malt, one of the most delicate ones, I’ve ever tasted. Reminds me of Glenmorangie products but lacks more in character. Or is just too difficult for me…Michael Jackson put it very well:

“Almost too perfect. Beautifully put together, but not quite memorable.”

Smooth and nice, but difficult and too delicate for me. Full of cherry and floral, summery notes. Flora and Fauna is like The Cherry Orchard, a drama movie directed by Mihalis Kakogiannis, based on the famous play by Chekhov.

Matured in:

Ex-Sherry casks

Colour: Amber

Nose: Like a nice cherry punch. Full of summer with floral notes and ginger. The feel of spirit is present, but everything is so delicate. Don’t add water, it gets way too soft then.

Taste: It is good indeed, but very, very difficult. There is sherry and fruits with some barley, but that’s about it. It surely is sweet and very smooth, that’s for sure.

Finish: Dry with sherry, oak and raisins. Not quick but very delicate.

Balance: I’d love it to have more character. Very soft dram in every way – easy to drink and sophisticated. Funny how it’s easy to drink, but at the same time, very difficult to get some taste.