I don’t know for certain, but it seems Edradour is earnestly entering the arena of cask strength, sherry-matured single malts. Sure, the Edradour 12 Years Oloroso Sherry Butts Batch 1 is more expensive than its competitors. But a second batch has already been released. Edradour means business.
It feels like the right step for Edradour. Their release policy has always been… I don’t know. Let’s say muddled. There’s the 10-year-old. And the Caledonia. They’ve been mainstays. But otherwise it’s just been an array of single cask and small batch releases, seemingly without much reason or rhyme.
Introducing a new series gives consumers like myself something to hold on to. Something familiar yet new every once in a while. Much like the recent Ballechin 18 Years Cask Strength Batch 1. It opens up new avenues to explore, and I really welcome it.
Edradour 12 Years Oloroso Sherry Butts Batch 1 (57.8%, OB, 4663 bts.)
Nose: Slightly vegetal and yeasty at first, it needs a little time for the sherry markers to come through. Hints of orange marmalade, some pencil shavings, a touch of menthol cigarettes, tinned peaches, and plums. Then also plenty of floral and leafy touches. Even a whiff of cured meats. It’s a bit weird, but not unlikeable, if that makes sense.
Taste: An assertive whisky with a good amount of espresso notes, a pinch of black pepper and soft oak tannins. Also a sliver of raspberry jam, bitter marmalade and dark chocolate. Finally some menthol and burnt toast too.
Finish: Medium length. Pretty dry, a gentle bitterness and orange peel.
Photo: Whiskybase