Sherry

Edradour 12 Year “Caledonia”

Edradour 12 Year “Caledonia”

This is a release made by Edradour from a cask specifically chosen by Scottish composer Douglas Maclean in 2009 from a selection first distilled in 1997. There’s even a video. His music may sound familiar to some, for his piece “The Gael” was adapted by Trevor Jones for the movie The Last of the Mohicans in 1992. His other famous piece is “Caledonia,” after which this spirit is named. Three cheers to a small distillery like Edradour that can take a highly unique step like this. It may not be around forever, but a bottling like this deserves enough attention to fill your glass. Now, more importantly, what special qualities did Dougie Maclean taste in this whisky?

Edradour 10 Year

Edradour 10 Year

Edradour is from the Scots Gaelic Eadar Dhà Dhobhar, meaning “between two rivers.” This is an old distillery that makes the claim of being the smallest in Scotland, producing only eighteen casks per week (trust us – it sounds like a lot but isn’t, comparatively). They also claim to have the smallest stills and traditionally employ just three men. Somehow, they offer an extremely broad collection of drinks, likely meaning that the vast majority are of limited release and rarer than a hot day in the Orkneys. Fun fact: their current owner, Andrew Symington, is a Master of the Quaich.

Lagavulin Distillers Edition

Lagavulin Distillers Edition

The Lagavulin Distillers Edition is part of a Diageo series called Distillers Editions. This series takes what might be considered a base whisky from a given distillery, like the Talisker 10 Year or the Oban 14 Year, and gives them further maturation in casks that once held some additional wine or spirit. Historically these have been various kinds of sherries or ports, but could also showcase other choices as the company dictates. The Lagavulin Distillers Edition is aged 16 years and further finished in ex-PX sherry casks