Edradour distillery

Introduction to Edradour

A destillery with a passion for craftsmanship

Edradour is a traditional Scottish Highland distillery, often celebrated as one of Scotland’s smallest and most charming whisky producers. Nestled in the picturesque hills near Pitlochry in Perthshire, this farm distillery combines time-honored methods with meticulous attention to detail. The result is a range of whiskies that perfectly capture the essence of traditional Scottish spirit-making.

Each bottle from Edradour tells the story of Scottish whisky heritage, where quality takes precedence over quantity, and where traditional techniques remain sacrosanct.

Why we have a soft spot for Edradour

At Vault of Spirits, we treasure distilleries that maintain authenticity while creating exceptional products. Edradour stands out for its commitment to small-batch production methods that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. We’re particularly fond of their experimental wood finishes and the distinctive character imparted by their unusual still shapes and traditional cooling worms.

Their dedication to handcrafted spirits in an age of automation and their willingness to push boundaries with interesting cask finishes perfectly aligns with our philosophy of celebrating true craftsmanship.

The History of Edradour

Origins and development

Edradour was officially established in 1825, though whisky production in the area likely dates back much further through illicit farm distilling. Nestled in a small, secluded valley, the distillery was perfectly positioned for evading tax collectors during Scotland’s era of illegal whisky production.

Throughout the 20th century, Edradour changed hands several times, notably becoming part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio in the 1980s. The watershed moment in its recent history came in 2002 when independent bottler Signatory Vintage, owned by Andrew Symington, purchased the distillery, beginning a renaissance that has elevated Edradour’s profile among whisky enthusiasts worldwide.

The people behind

Under Andrew Symington’s leadership, Edradour has flourished while maintaining its traditional character. The small team of distillers works with equipment and methods that would be familiar to their predecessors from a century ago. This connection to heritage is palpable in every aspect of production.

With just a handful of employees, Edradour represents the intimate scale of whisky-making that existed before industrialization, where each person involved knows every aspect of the process intimately.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Production at Edradour begins with high-quality Scottish barley. The distillery’s mashing and fermentation processes remain refreshingly traditional, taking place in open-topped wooden washbacks that allow for a rich, complex fermentation character.

The distillation occurs in Scotland’s smallest traditional copper pot stills, including what is reputedly the smallest legal whisky still in Scotland. This unusual equipment, combined with extremely slow distillation, creates a remarkably rich and oily new make spirit with exceptional character.

Maturation and aging

Edradour matures its whisky in a diverse array of casks, from traditional ex-bourbon barrels to Sherry butts, port pipes, and wine barriques. The dunnage warehouses at Edradour provide the perfect environment for slow, steady maturation in Scotland’s variable climate.

Under Signatory’s ownership, the distillery has become known for its adventurous cask-finishing program, which includes rare and interesting wine casks that contribute unique flavors to the already characterful spirit. Many releases are bottled as single casks, offering unique expressions that capture a moment in time.

Selected Products from Edradour

Edradour 10 Year Old – An introduction to the house style

This core expression perfectly showcases the distillery’s signature profile. Rich and creamy with notes of dark chocolate, dried fruits, and gentle spices, this dram offers a beautifully balanced introduction to Edradour’s distinctive character. The subtle sherry influence and creamy mouthfeel make it accessible to newcomers while offering enough complexity for experienced whisky lovers.

Ballechin – A peated expression for connoisseurs

For those seeking something more robust, Ballechin represents Edradour’s heavily-peated alter ego. Named after a lost neighboring farm distillery, these expressions combine the distillery’s naturally oily, robust spirit with significant peat influence. Expect powerful smoke balanced with the distillery’s inherent fruity character, often enhanced by varied cask finishes from Burgundy to Madeira. This is a complex sensory journey for those who appreciate depth and challenging flavor profiles.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Edradour offers one of Scotland’s most intimate and informative distillery experiences. Visitors can witness traditional production methods up close in what feels like a living museum of whisky history. The guided tours provide remarkable access to every stage of production in this compact facility.

The tastings typically include several expressions that demonstrate both the classic Edradour style and some of their more experimental offerings. The distillery also houses a well-stocked shop featuring many exclusive bottlings not available elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Edradour?

Edradour is one of Scotland’s smallest traditional distilleries, producing handcrafted single malt whisky in the Highland region. It’s known for combining time-honored production methods with innovative maturation techniques, creating whiskies that are both traditionally Scottish in character yet distinctive and varied in their expressions.

Where is Edradour located?

The distillery is situated in a picturesque valley near the town of Pitlochry in Perthshire, Scotland. Its idyllic Highland setting contributes to the character of the whisky and makes it a popular destination for tourists visiting the region.

What characterizes Edradour?

Edradour is characterized by its small-scale production methods, unusually shaped stills, and traditional worm tub condensers that create a naturally rich, oily spirit. The distillery is known for its core expressions that showcase a naturally fruity, creamy character, often with sherry influence, as well as its adventurous approach to cask finishing and its heavily peated Ballechin range.

Where can I buy whisky from Edradour?

You can find selected bottles from Edradour at Vault of Spirits. We carefully select both their core expressions and limited single cask releases, ensuring you have access to the best this historic small distillery has to offer. Our collection includes both traditional Edradour expressions and their peated Ballechin releases.