Edradour 1983 Vintage Cask #03/1041

This official Edradour, a 21 year old, from 1983, cask 03/1041, at 53.6%, 776 bottles in all. Edradour is a rich Highland malt from the pocket glen at Balnauld, distilled since 1825. Its water comes from the Ben Vrackie springs in the hills above the distillery.

Worked through Oregon pine washbacks and tiny stills for a rich, oily spirit, the worm tubs lending a weighty, oily character. A Port cask held it, shaping the oily spirit over the years. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed, the nutty, oily malt deepening. The worm tubs leave an oily weight that carries through the years in cask. The full bodied spirit shows the cask clearly, the sherry and oak to the fore. A 2018 expansion added a second still house, the production still small and traditional. A gentle maturation suits the oily make, the nutty richness growing with time.

At 53.6%, undiluted, it is deep and concentrated. Chocolate, dried fruit and a waxy oil, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. It is rich and oily, the full bodied spirit shining through. A long, nutty finish carries dried fruit and a soft spice. This is a Highland single malt of real character.