Edradour Chardonnay Cask Whisky Review/Tasting

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Edradour Distillery, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation: Matured solely in first-fill ex-Chardonnay wine casks (hog heads, approximately 250 liters).
Age Statement: Distilled in December 2003 and bottled in February 2013, making it nearly 10 years old.
Color and Clarity: Natural color, un-chill filtered, with a rich golden hue.
Bottle Design: The specific design details aren't mentioned, but it's noted that the whisky is part of a series that includes unique packaging, such as colored wooden boxes for other series.

Balance of Flavors: A complex balance with a significant influence from the oak casks, leading to a rich depth of flavor.
Unique Characteristics: The whisky has a misleading name, "Chardonnay," as the profile is dominated by hefty oak and maturation flavors rather than the expected white wine characteristics.
Comparison: It's described as one of the most hefty in its category, with a notable bitter aftertaste that might appeal to dark chocolate lovers.

Anecdotes: The host, Horst Luening, recounts a visit to Andrew Symington at the Edradour Distillery, where he sampled various cask styles, including the Chardonnay cask, and was impressed by the cask's influence on the whisky.
Production Process: The distillery's owner, Andrew Symington, embarked on a modest experimentation program with different cask types to mature some of the spirit not needed for their standard 10-year-old product, leading to the creation of this unique Chardonnay cask matured whisky.

Historical Context: The Edradour Distillery's experimentation with cask types under the ownership of Andrew Symington since July 2002 represents a blend of tradition and innovation in Scotch whisky production.

"This is 100% maturation in Chardonnay wine casks...a very intense aroma."
"The name Chardonnay is completely misleading. This is hefty oak, hefty maturation."
"Be careful if you don't like bitter aftertastes. If you like dark chocolate, it might be perfect for you."

The Edradour Chardonnay Cask is a nearly 10-year-old single malt Scotch whisky, matured entirely in ex-Chardonnay wine casks, offering a rich golden hue and a complex flavor profile dominated by oak rather than the expected white wine notes. It's part of the distillery's experimentation with different cask types, resulting in a unique and hefty whisky that may appeal to those who enjoy a bitter aftertaste similar to dark chocolate.

For the Adventurous Drinker: Those interested in unique maturation processes and the influence of different cask types.
For the Oak Flavor Enthusiast: Individuals who appreciate a strong oak presence and complex, mature flavors in their whisky.
For the Dark Chocolate Lover: Given the bitter aftertaste, this whisky might appeal to those who enjoy the rich, intense flavors of dark chocolate.