Edradour Barolo Cask Finish 16 Years Old 2000 (56.1%)

An official release of Edradour, a 16 year old, from 2000, cask 812, 813 & 817, at 56.1%, 893 bottles in all. Edradour is a Highland single malt from the tiny farm distillery at Pitlochry, long called Scotland's smallest. It was bought in 2002 by Andrew Symington of the independent bottler Signatory Vintage.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt in tiny copper stills and worm tubs, giving the full bodied, creamy Highland spirit. Maturation came in a Barolo cask, layered over the rich Edradour make. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the dried fruit and chocolate turning rich over the waxy body. Years in oak round the spirit, the dried fruit and chocolate deepening over the oily core. Signatory's wide cask range gives the small distillery an unusual variety of finishes. Maturation in the dunnage warehouses at Pitlochry is slow and steady.

At 56.1%, undiluted, it is deep and concentrated. Baked apple, marzipan and a creamy malt, with a dry, cherry and tannic edge from the cask. A baked apple and a gentle spice lift it. The finish runs long, nutty and warming. This is a creamy, nutty Highland single malt.