Edradour Barolo Cask Matured 11 Years Old 2006

An official release of Edradour, an 11 year old, from 2006, cask 179, at 55.5%, 296 bottles in all. Edradour is a rich Highland malt from the pocket glen at Balnauld, distilled since 1825. It keeps the old ways, with an open cast iron mash tun, Oregon pine washbacks and worm tub condensers.

It was made in the smallest of stills and condensed in worm tubs, for a full, oily make of dried fruit and chocolate. A Barolo cask held it, shaping the oily spirit over the years. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper apple and dried fruit. Long ageing turns the rich make towards dried fruit, fig and a soft spice. It once supplied blends such as House of Lords and King's Ransom. The full bodied spirit shows the cask clearly, the sherry and oak to the fore. The tiny stills and worm tubs give an oily spirit that takes the cask well.

At its natural 55.5% it is rich and full bodied. Baked apple, marzipan and a creamy malt, with a dry, cherry and tannic edge from the cask. A baked apple and a gentle spice lift it. The close is oily and warming, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a Highland single malt of real character.