Ballechin 2007 (Signatory) (55.7%)

An 11 year old Ballechin from the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2007, from cask 24, bottled at 55.7%, one of 294 bottles. Ballechin is the smoky side of Edradour, a heavily peated malt from Pitlochry. A rare Morton refrigerator still cools the wort, one of the last in use in Scotland.

It was drawn off the tiny stills and cooled in worm tubs, smoke over an oily spirit, for a heavy, smoky spirit with an oily depth. It was matured in a Bordeaux cask, the wood working slowly into the rich malt. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the smoky malt, the body fuller and oilier. A small distillery and a hands on approach shape every cask by hand. It once supplied blends such as House of Lords and King's Ransom. Refill oak lets the rich, oily Edradour character lead the way. Years in oak round the spirit, the dried fruit and chocolate deepening over the oily core.

At its natural 55.7% it is rich and full bodied. A smoky, fruity richness, with a dark berry and a dry tannin from the cask. Beneath the smoke run dried fruit, chocolate and a soft oil. It finishes long, rich and smoky. This is the smoky side of tiny Edradour.