Edradour 10 Year Old Review: The Perfect Whisky for a Song or Two

Cute, cozy, and charming. Edradour is Scotland’s smallest distillery. Nestled in the Highlands near the village of Pitlochry, it’s a place with real character. Today, we’re putting Edradour 10 Years under the microscope in this review.

A small lane leads you into the glen of the Edradour Burn. Edradour means “lying between two waters.” The distillery was founded in 1825 by local farmers, and it’s changed hands a number of times since. Thankfully, very little has changed within its walls.

The three-person team produces, in an entire year, about as much whisky as The Macallan does in a single week. At Edradour, the staff malt their own barley and, of course, distill their own spirit. There’s a reason it’s known as “The Hand Made Malt.” Most of the equipment in the distillery dates back to its early days.

The setup includes a wash still, a spirit still, and a small open mash tun. You’ll also find two small washbacks. For maturing the malt, they use sherry casks exclusively.

The tube the whisky comes in makes a strong impression. It oozes authenticity and craftsmanship. A painted, picturesque village greets you on the bottle. The bottle itself is a bit rounder and less elongated than most whisky bottles, which makes it stand out nicely.

The fine print on the label does require some squinting. Unless Edradour plans to include a reading glasses with every bottle, that’s something they could improve. Still, the experience gets off to a very good start.

The whisky looks fantastic in the glass. It’s dark, with a maturity that belies its 10 years. Thick and viscous, almost syrupy, think two-stroke engine oil. Sherry notes rise to meet you on the nose, where the whisky turns nutty.

Hazelnut stands out in particular. A second nosing brings a touch of vanilla on the finish. Perhaps that’s the whisky warming up, revealing a bit more complexity. Either way, it’s a pleasant surprise.

On the palate, the whisky feels syrupy. You can practically chew it. Sweet sherry tones arrive immediately. The nutty wax from the nose shows up again, and spices return on the palate. Vanilla comes back at the end. The only letdown is a finish that’s a little short.

This whisky hits the mark: a delicious sherried malt with serious drinkability. If you’re not careful, the bottle will disappear fast. It does lack a bit of punch—at a higher ABV, it could have been a real firecracker, or perhaps with a little more age. The color, nose, and flavor are all excellent. A superb choice to enjoy while listening to the greatest list of them all.

+ Fantastic color

+ Rich, nutty flavor

+ Pure enjoyment

- Could use a touch more depth and bite