Edradour Straight From The Cask – Marsala Cask Finish 12 Years Old 2002

Edradour from the distillery, a 12 year old, from 2002, at 57.8%, 596 bottles in all. Edradour is a creamy, sherried Highland single malt from one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland. Its water comes from the Ben Vrackie springs in the hills above the distillery.

Made in the smallest of stills and condensed in worm tubs, the worm tubs lending a weighty, oily character. Maturation came in a Marsala cask, layered over the rich Edradour make. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the oily malt, the body fuller and creamier. Maturation in the dunnage warehouses at Pitlochry is slow and steady. Refill oak lets the rich, oily Edradour character lead the way. Ben Vrackie water and a long ferment give the rich Edradour make. Under Signatory the range has grown to a wide run of sherry and wine cask bottlings.

At cask strength 57.8% it is big and oily. A rich, oily orchard fruit and almond, with a raisined, herbal sweetness from the cask. A dried fruit and a polished oak give it depth. The close is oily and warming, fruit over a gentle oak. This is Edradour, one of Scotland's smallest distilleries.