Edradour

Introduction:

The Edradour distillery indeed offers an extensive range of distillery bottlings, which is considered one of the most diverse in the world. The whiskies are categorized into different series, including the Classic Range, Cask Strength Series, Wine Finishes, and Wine Matured. They also produce a peated range of whiskies known as Ballechin.

The distillery character of Edradour can be described as full and intense, representing a typical Highland single malt. The use of small pot stills contributes to the unique flavor profile. Owner Andrew Symington has a passion for maturing and finishing his whiskies in various casks sourced from different European regions. This includes casks from Burgundy, Sauternes, Port, and Pedro Ximenez, among others. As a result, the range of whiskies is highly diverse, with each individual whisky offering complexity and distinctiveness in terms of aroma and taste.

Andrew Symington is not only the owner of Edradour distillery but also the owner of Signatory Vintage, an independent bottling company. All bottling for Edradour is done through Signatory, and as a result, there are numerous Signatory releases of Edradour whiskies available.

Edradour is also known for its cream liqueur, which incorporates Edradour whisky. This cream liqueur is renowned for its excitement and intensity, with the Highland Scotch providing the perfect kick to the creamy mixture.

While Edradour single malt whiskies are highly regarded, there is no known blend that includes Edradour malt as an ingredient.

Production and Distillery Bottlings:

Edradour Distillery offers a wide range of distillery bottlings, making it one of the most diverse whisky portfolios in the world. The owner, Andrew Symington, has a passion for maturing and finishing whisky in various casks sourced from all over Europe. This results in a wide variety of whisky expressions with complex and diverse profiles. The distillery character is often described as full and intense, with the use of small pot stills contributing to the unique flavor profile.

As the owner of independent bottler Signatory Vintage, Andrew Symington also releases numerous bottlings of Edradour through this label. The distillery is known for its cream liqueur, which incorporates Edradour whisky, adding an exciting and intense flavor to the cream mixture.

Production Process:

Edradour is often considered one of the smallest whisky distilleries in Scotland. It produces approximately 100,000 liters of whisky per year using two small pot stills. The water used in production comes from the Ben Vrackie Springs, and the distillery is located near the Edradour burn.

The pot stills at Edradour are particularly small, with the wash still having a capacity of 4,200 liters and the spirit still holding approximately 2,200 liters. The distillery no longer malts its own barley and uses unpeated malt for Edradour whisky. However, for their peated range, Ballechin, malt dried over a peat fire is used, resulting in a peat content of at least 50 parts per million.

The warehouses at Edradour house a variety of cask types, with wine, port, and sherry casks making up a significant portion of the stock, in addition to refill bourbon casks.

History:

Edradour Distillery has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The location of the distillery is near the ruins of Lindores Abbey, considered the birthplace of aqua vitae (water of life), which later became whisky. The distillery itself began operating in 1823, initially under the name Glenforres, before being officially registered as Edradour in 1825.

Throughout its history, the distillery produced whisky primarily for the blend industry, with notable brands such as House of Lords and Kings Ransom. In 1986, Edradour launched its first 10-year-old single malt whisky, marking the beginning of its success as a single malt producer.

In 2002, Andrew Symington, owner of Signatory Vintage, purchased Edradour Distillery. Under his ownership, the distillery has undergone refurbishments and improvements. In 2003, Edradour introduced its first heavily peated malt, Ballechin.

Visitor Centre:

Edradour Distillery offers a visitor centre open from mid-April to mid-October. The distillery tour provides a comprehensive experience, showcasing the production process and offering insights into the history of whisky-making. Visitors can explore the distillery’s old buildings, learn about whisky production, and enjoy a shop, cafe, tasting bar, and the New Caledonia Hall, which provides a unique view of the maturation process through windows into the dunnage warehouse.

Visitor information:

Edradour Distillery
Pitlochry
Perthshire
PH16 5JP
Tel.: +44-(0)1796-472 095
Email: tours@edradour.com