Edradour – 8 Year Old 2018 Signatory Vintage 1st Fill Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hogsheads (70cl, 57.1%)

This is an Edradour Highland single malt, distilled in 2018 in the Edradour No. 2 extension and bottled in 2026 at eight years old. All of its maturation took place in first fill Châteauneuf-du-Pape hogsheads, which give the whisky a clear red wine character. Signatory Vintage bottled it at cask strength, 57.1% abv, unpeated, without added colour or chill-filtration. The release marks 40 years since Andrew Symington bought his first cask in 1986. The nose combines cherries, dark berries and orange with floral honey and vanilla. Toffee and malty caramel sweeten the palate, set against dark chocolate and pronounced pepper. The finish is long, with dry oak spice and winey notes. A few drops of water bring out the fruit.