Edradour 9 Years Old 2016 Cask #98 (LMDW)

From the Paris house La Maison du Whisky, a 9 year old Edradour, distilled in 2016, from cask 98, bottled at 48.2%, one of 285 bottles. Edradour is a full bodied, oily Highland malt made on Ben Vrackie water at Pitlochry. It was bought in 2002 by Andrew Symington of the independent bottler Signatory Vintage.

It was made in the smallest of stills and condensed in worm tubs, for a full, oily make of dried fruit and chocolate. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the oily make lead. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the spirit rich, oily and nutty. Refill oak lets the rich, oily Edradour character lead the way. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. A 2018 expansion added a second still house, the production still small and traditional. Active wood frames the rich fruit without overwhelming the oily Highland spirit.

At its natural 48.2% it is rich and full bodied. A rich, nutty sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a polished oak give it depth. A rich finish ends on dried fruit and a soft oak. This is the little gem of the Highlands at Pitlochry.