Edradour 2009 10 Year Un-Chillfiltered Collection (Signatory)

A cautionary tale regarding two Edradour bottlings. I generally appreciate Signatory Vintage's cask strength releases. Having heard positive remarks about Edradour, I sampled a 10-year-old from SV's unchill-filtered line, bottled at 46% ABV. The 2008 cask 359 bottling was delightful, offering a nutty, jammy sherried profile, distinct from a sherry bomb like Aberlour A'bunadh or Glendronach 21. It evoked memories of Benrinnes Flora and Fauna. This bottling was a great, affordable, and well-matured 10-year-old. However, a subsequent 2007 bottling presented a different experience. The nose had baking spices, cinnamon, dark fruit, and a hint of sulfur. The palate was spicy with some sulfur and muted dark fruit. The finish was excessively bitter and woody. This stark contrast highlighted the variability of single cask selections. It raises questions about distilleries releasing subpar casks, potentially selling them to independent bottlers, and whether such stock is ever discarded due to being unpalatable. I am always skeptical of independent bottlings, assuming they may contain less successful distillery products.

From Scotland's smallest distillery, which was once owned by a famous mob boss that inspired a movie character. This distillery is a favorite of mine, and I've wanted to try this particular expression for a long time. Bottled at 46% ABV with an incredible chestnut color. On the nose, it's perfect. Cabernet Sauvignon, grape jelly, raisins, champagne cola, cinnamon, sacramental wine, and white chocolate. It feels rich. Almonds and bread. An amazing aroma. On the palate, it's like a song about red wine. White chocolate is also present here. The aftertaste is disappointing. Pepper and sulfur; wine-like; new wood. It's very short and dry, lasting no more than 2 seconds. Overall, this was an unbalanced dram, but not a bad experience. The nose was beautiful, the palate was average, and the aftertaste was sad. I will still buy and drink it happily, but I see this as a dram for specific occasions. My score is 82 out of 100.

2011 bottled in 2021 A-amber +2,medium viscosity N- apricots, plums, honey, toffee, wet oak, raisins, dried fruits, rum cake, nutmeg, berries, malt, chocolate P- spicy arrival, rich, full, oily, tobacco ashes, honey, toffee, vanilla, milk chocolate, rum cake, wet oak, plums, raisins, apricots, nutmeg F- long finish, strong sweet-oaky aftertaste (it keeps lingering around)

Tasting the 2010 version. This is an enjoyable oddity. A funky sweet and sour nose of apricots and almonds, a pleasant minty arrival with a long ginger cake and treacle finish. A unique whiskey that isn't afraid to be different.

The finest bottling in this collection. Notes of cocoa, spice, and a smooth, viscous mouthfeel. It's a sherry bomb hiding in plain sight – it drinks like aged bourbon but lacks the burn.