Edradour Helgoland Edition 18 Years Old 1997

An official release of Edradour, an 18 year old, from 1997, cask 2112, at 56.6%, 698 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.

The spirit was worked through Oregon pine washbacks and tiny stills for a rich, oily spirit, giving the full bodied, creamy Highland spirit. An Oloroso cask held it, shaping the oily spirit over the years. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins add a gentle, drying grip over the oily malt. The full bodied spirit shows the cask clearly, the sherry and oak to the fore. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Signatory's wide cask range gives the small distillery an unusual variety of finishes.

At 56.6%, undiluted, it is deep and concentrated. A rich, oily orchard fruit and almond, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, chocolate and a soft oil. The finish is rounded, fruity and gently spiced. This is Edradour, one of Scotland's smallest distilleries.