Edradour 7 Year Old 2003 Natural Cask Strength 1st Release

Edradour has a somewhat dubious reputation. A bit like Auchentoshan (let me be the first to say it). That is why this week, I will try nothing but Edradour and Ballechin. Might turn out to become a very long week. Or maybe I will be pleasantly surprised. Ready? Let us start with this 1st release in the Natural Cask Strength series, a 7 Year Old from 2003.

The nose is rather sharp and slightly chemical on airfreshner from a spraycan, that distracts from the sweet notes, like vanilla and honey. Something mightly floral too. But with some handwarmth that evaporates to make room for apple, lime and mandarin and later also some toffee and marzipan. It improves with water. More sweetness, more fruit. Fresh on lemon, coconut and icing sugar.

It is immediately honeysweet on the palate, but oh, so peppery. Kaboom! A kick to the teeth. It is scorching, so let me add some water. But let me jot down green apples and chili peppers before I do. Diluted? More accessible, but still sharp on spices. A bit too sharp to my taste.

The finish is long and leaves the mouth parched.

This is the first release in a series that Edradour put to sleep in 2003. Cannot do without water! Around 55 EUR.

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