Edradour 2006 Super Tuscan (46%)

An official release of Edradour, an 8 year old, from 2006, at 46%, 2450 bottles in all. Edradour is a small, traditional Highland single malt, owned by Signatory since 2002. It keeps the old ways, with an open cast iron mash tun, Oregon pine washbacks and worm tub condensers.

It was worked through Oregon pine washbacks and tiny stills for a rich, oily spirit, the worm tubs lending a weighty, oily character. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the oily make lead. In these extractive early years the oak gives vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut over the rich, oily spirit. Refill oak lets the rich, oily Edradour character lead the way. It was bought in 2002 by Andrew Symington of the independent bottler Signatory Vintage. Active wood frames the rich fruit without overwhelming the oily Highland spirit. The full bodied spirit shows the cask clearly, the sherry and oak to the fore.

At 46% it is creamy and full. A rich, nutty sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, chocolate and a soft oil. A long, nutty finish carries dried fruit and a soft spice. This is a Highland single malt of real character.