Edradour 1st Fill Merlot Cask 11 Years Old 2012

An official release of Edradour, an 11 year old, from 2012, cask 1, at 48.2%. Edradour is a rich Highland malt from the pocket glen at Balnauld, distilled since 1825. It is one of the smallest traditional distilleries in Scotland, long run by just two or three hands.

The spirit was run through the small stills with their boil ball purifiers, for a rich, nutty spirit with a waxy depth. A Merlot cask held it, shaping the oily spirit over the years. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the rich, oily spirit growing creamier. Long ageing turns the rich make towards dried fruit, fig and a soft spice. Years in oak round the spirit, the dried fruit and chocolate deepening over the oily core. Under Signatory the range has grown to a wide run of sherry and wine cask bottlings. For years its sign read Scotland's smallest distillery; it now calls itself Scotland's little gem.

Bottled at a cask strength 48.2%, it is rich. Dried fruit, nut and a soft chocolate, with a soft, plummy red berry from the cask. A dried fruit and a polished oak give it depth. It finishes long, rich and oily. This is a creamy, nutty Highland single malt.