CLASSIFICATION: Single Malt Whisky
COMPANY: Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky Company
DISTILLERY: Edradour, Perthshire, Scotland
ABV: 40% (80 proof)
AGE: 10 years
MASHBILL: 100% malted barley
COLOR: Natural (no artificial coloring), deep chestnut with bright orange highlights
Read in the magazine (rotate your device for a better reading experience):
Traditionally, the distillery was run by three men; currently, only two work there, producing 18 barrels per week.
The wash still has a capacity of 4,200 liters, while the smaller spirit still holds 2,200 liters.
None of the whiskies bottled at the distillery uses artificial colorings, such as caramel E150a or E150b for artificial darkening or color matching between batches. Additionally, they never employ chill filtration in any way or to any extent.
Chill filtration is a process that removes esters and oils, resulting in a clearer appearance in the whisky, which prevents cloudiness when chilled or served with ice. Among their offerings is a 12-year-old non-chill-filtered malt, part of which is included in the House of Lords and Clan Campbell blends.
Two days a week, a peated version of Edradour is produced and bottled under the name Ballechin, a nod to the distillery’s former name.
NOSE: The first notes to emerge are berries, raisins, and citrus undertones, followed by freshly cut grass and oats. The alcohol is subtle and could certainly handle being bottled at a higher ABV.
PALATE: A well-structured whisky despite its low ABV. Sweet, with clear notes of vanilla, honey syrup, nuts, and clove. In the background, there are hints of dried fruits, green apple, and a light, smooth touch of mint.
FINISH: Medium-length, distinctly sweet due to the sherry influence, with emerging notes of ash, leather, and a slight astringency.
COMMENTS: This is what collectors and connoisseurs refer to as a “sherry bomb,” owing to its aging in first- and second-fill ex-Oloroso sherry casks, though the exact percentage of each is unspecified.
Photography: Gilsane García Morais
Acknowledgments: Private Collection of Dr. Gilton Da Silva Morais
