| |
Edradour
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Edradour, 10-Year-Old (Scotland) 
Since 2002, Edradour has been in the ownership of independent bottlers Signatory Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd. Whereas, previously most of the make inexplicably disappeared into blending vats, Signatory supremo Andrew Symington understands what a jewel he has in his possession, and has released a variety of expressions, including some interesting finished versions and the heavily-peated Ballechin.
Most readily available, however, is the ‘house’ 10-year-old, which offers cider apples, malt, almonds, vanilla and honey on the nose, along with a hint of smoke and Sherry. The palate is rich, creamy and malty, with a persistent nuttiness and quite a pronounced kick of Sherry, which becomes pleasantly leathery with the addition of water. Spices and Sherry dominate the medium to long finish.
40.0% ABV, 70cl, £29.99, distillery website, specialist whisky merchants.  |  |
Edradour, Ballechin ‘The Discovery Series’ Batch 3 (Scotland)
The picture postcard distillery of Edradour in Perthshire has belonged to the Edinburgh-based independent bottling company Signatory since 2002, and in 2003 the first batch of heavily-peated (50ppm) Edradour spirit was distilled.
Named Ballechin, after a long-silent Perthshire farm distillery, there have now been three releases of this heavily-peated young spirit, the latest of which has been matured entirely in port hogheads. The first two expressions were aged in Burgundy and Madeira casks respectively.
The nose features mild iodine, nutty, spicy peat and summer fruits, while the silky body leads into a palate focusing on apricots and ginger, with a splash of cream. The finish is spicy, with developing peat.
6,000 bottles.
46.0% ABV, 70cl, £56.95, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Edradour, Ballechin ‘The Discovery Series’ Batch 4 (Scotland)
The Ballechin name is used by Edradour for its heavily-peated spirit, first distilled in 2003 and previously offered in red Burgundy, Madeira and port casks. Batch 4 has been matured solely in first-fill oloroso Sherry casks, and the result is a whisky with a nose of profound, yet polished, notes of peat and Sherry, which merge nicely and give the impression of a considerably older spirit. The palate is luxurious and smooth, with warm leather and stewed fruit notes to the fore, while insistent, spicy peat develops and lasts through a long, warming finish
46.0% ABV, 70cl, £58.00, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Edradour, Caledonia 12-Year-Old (Scotland)
Edradour has been notable for developing a vigorous programme of releases, offering single cask and finished whiskies, not to mention heavily peated spirit, marketed under the Ballechin name. One of its most recent releases is an addition to the core range, namely Edradour Caledonia, originally developed in association with local singer/songwriter Dougie MacLean during the 2009 Homecoming Scotland celebrations.
The first Caledonia bottling was a single cask, selected by MacLean, but its enthusiastic reception led to the whisky’s adoption on a permanent basis. It is 12 years old and has spent the last four years of its maturation in Oloroso Sherry casks. The result is a whisky with a plump, fruity nose, featuring figs, sultanas and a hint of cloves. The addition of water gives the nose higher, more citric fruit notes. Rich and full-bodied in the mouth, nutty and orangey, with plenty of attractive spice and a slowly drying, well balanced finish. The addition of water rounds out the palate beautifully, making for a robust, yet eminently drinkable, Sherried dram.
46.0% ABV, 70cl, £38.00, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
|
|
|
|
