DAILUAINE 34 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH, BOTTLED 2015 REGULARLY $749.99 - 750ML

Aged in second-fill American oak casks, the Dailuaine 34-Year-Old (bottled at about 51% ABV) has a bright golden yellow color that belies the decades that the whisky spent in wood. It is made in Speyside, but the vanilla and honeyed notes characteristic of so many Speyside malts is largely absent here. It starts off quite dry, with malt cereal notes coming to the fore immediately, underpinned by herbal and mineral flavors. A delicate white chocolate sweetness wafts in at mid-palate, along with hint of ginger and smoky tea. The finish is light but lingering, with oaky tannins providing an elegant drying sensation.

The Dailuaine 34 is a distinctive, unusual malt, and with fewer than 700 bottles issued worldwide, it’s a rare treat indeed. Retail prices start at about $450 per bottle.