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Edradour (Edradur) – premium whiskey, which produces one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland. Production is carried out almost by hand. Distillation takes place in old cubes of small size, which allows you to get drinks with a rich flavor and aromatic bouquet. The plant is located in Pitlochry, Perthshire, and is open to tourists.
Historical information
The Edradour distillery was founded in 1825 shortly after the Excise Act, which significantly reduced the tax burden on Scottish distilleries. The enterprise was named Glenforres and was owned by a farmers’ cooperative. By 1839, production had reached 90 gallons per year, which was considered very high for a plant of such a small size.
By the end of the XNUMXth century, the company was taken over by John Macintosh, a descendant of one of the original owners. The businessman managed to turn the distillery into a thriving commercial enterprise. Even during the First World War, production did not stop, and drinks became famous throughout the UK.
In 1933, the owner of the distillery was William Whiteley, who left a bright mark on the history of the company. His businesses became the largest whiskey exporters to the US during Prohibition. The King’s Ransom brand was in great demand across the ocean. The brand owes its success to Frank Costello, one of the godfathers of the mafia. In 1938, Whiteley retired and handed over control to Irving Haim, Costello’s partner.
Soon after the change of ownership, whiskey from a small distillery gained worldwide fame. Edradour was served at the table during the dinners at the Potsdam Conference, which were attended by Stalin, Churchill and Truman. Irving Haim successfully led the company until his death in 1976, after which the company gradually fell into decline due to the general crisis in the industry.
Until 2002, most of the production was used to make blends. With the transfer of the plant to the ownership of the independent company Signature Vintage, a new stage in the development of the enterprise began. The new owners expanded production, built new warehouses and a tasting room, and the plant itself became one of the main attractions of Scotland.
Manufacture
The distillery produces only 100 thousand liters of whiskey per year, the company employs three people. Water is brought from the mountain stream Ben Vrackie Springs. All equipment is very modest in size, the fermentation tank is designed for 4,2 thousand liters of wort, which is 4-5 times less than in conventional plants. Small stills produce dense spirits rich in complex flavors. Whiskey is aged in bourbon, port, Madeira, Sauternes and sherry casks. Despite the small volumes of production, the range of the enterprise includes about three dozen types of products.
Interesting Facts
- In 1941, a merchant ship was wrecked off the coast of Scotland. Most of the cargo was Edradour whiskey, which was being shipped to the United States for sale. About 24 thousand bottles were dismantled by local residents, for which they were subsequently punished with imprisonment. The incident is described in Compton Mackenzie’s book Whiskey Galore, which was later made into a movie.
- The pride of the distillery is Ballechin, a limited-edition peated whisky. Each batch is aged in different barrels: Madeira, port and sherry containers are used. Work on the drink devote two separate days a week.
Types of Edradour whiskey
Edradour, 10 Years Old, 40%
Ten year old whiskeys are periodically filtered throughout the year to remove esters and fusel oils. The drink matures in barrels of bourbon and sherry. In a thick aroma, the smells of marzipan, flowers and spices are mixed. The taste starts with a pronounced cherry note, to which flower honey, nutmeg, leather and wood are added. The finish is long, with hints of sherry, chocolate, peach and paprika.
Edradour, Caledonia 12 years old, 46%
Caledonia is the ancient Gaelic name for Scotland. The entire period of aging whiskey takes place in bourbon barrels. The amber-colored drink is perfectly clear due to the absence of cold filtration. The aroma contains vanilla, wood and dried fruits. The oily taste combines wine, chocolate, oak and spicy tones.
Edradour, Bourbon Cask Matured 2006, 59,2%
Limited edition aged in bourbon barrels for 10 years. The drink does not go through cold filtration and is bottled by hand. Lemon, mint and honey stand out in the aroma. The taste is dominated by vanilla, coconut and wood. When diluted with water, apple and gooseberries are added. There are citrus notes at the finish.
