Edradour Chardonnay Cask Matured 10 Years Old 2011 (60.2%)

A 10 year old Edradour, a distillery bottling, from 2011, cask 401, at 60.2%, 278 bottles in all. Edradour is a rich Highland malt from the pocket glen at Balnauld, distilled since 1825. For years its sign read Scotland's smallest distillery; it now calls itself Scotland's little gem.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt in tiny copper stills and worm tubs, for a full, oily make of dried fruit and chocolate. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the fruit. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the oily malt, the body fuller and creamier. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Maturation in the dunnage warehouses at Pitlochry is slow and steady. Refill oak lets the rich, oily Edradour character lead the way. Its water comes from the Ben Vrackie springs in the hills above the distillery.

At 60.2%, undiluted, it is deep and concentrated. Dried fruit, nut and a soft chocolate, 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 oily, rich malt of tiny Edradour.