Edradour 13 year old 1st-fill Sauternes Hogsheads

Profile: The Edradour 13 year old 1st-fill Sauternes Hogsheads at a Glance

• Edradour 13 year old - Small but mighty (and with a bit of a French touch)
• Aged in 1st-fill Sauternes Hogsheads - French charm meets Highland character
• Small batch from only six casks - limited to 1,983 bottles
• Distilled in 2012, bottled in 2025 - 13 years full of patience and craftsmanship
• No coloring, no chill-filtering - as honest as a Scottish weather report

Portrait: What makes the Edradour 13 year old 1st-fill Sauternes Hogsheads special

Welcome to Pitlochry, a place that sounds like a magic spell and is home to one of Scotland's smallest traditional distilleries: Edradour, affectionately known as Scotland's Little Gem. Here, whiskies are created that show the big names that size isn't everything - at least not when it comes to pot stills.

The latest coup: the Edradour 13 year old, distilled in April 2012 and matured in First Fill Sauternes Hogsheads. Yes, exactly - Sauternes, that French dessert wine where even the grapes whisper a little chanson before they are pressed. So the Scots have allied themselves with the French – a rarity that would even make Napoleon chuckle.

Six of these aromatic barrels were combined and blended into a small batch, which is strictly limited to 1,983 bottles. Bottled unadulterated – meaning no coloring, no chill filtration, but with plenty of Highland charm.

Anyone who knows Edradour knows: The work here is still done by hand, the water comes from the Scottish hills, and each bottling has more character than a Highlander after three cups of black tea.

In short:This 13-year-old isn't just whisky – it's a piece of distillery history that has made it into late summer in bottle form. So be quick before others snatch up this little gem.

Distilled: April 2012
Bottled: July 9, 2025
Cask Nos.: 168, 169, 171, 172, 173 & 174
Outturn: 1,983 bottles

Tasting Notes: This is how the Edradour 13 year old 1st-Fill Sauternes Hogsheads tastes like

• Nose: Rich, sweet, and complex. Aromas of honey, candied citrus fruits, and ripe apricots initially greet the nose, followed by vanilla, blossom honey, and a hint of white grapes. These are followed by hints of wet wood, malt, and a subtle touch of wax.
• Palate: Smooth and creamy with a distinct Sauternes influence—tropical fruits, sweet wine, baked pears, and toffee. The sweetness is balanced by a pleasant spice: ginger, nutmeg, and a hint of oak. The texture is oily and full, typical of Edradour.
• Finish: Medium to long with warming wood notes, a delicate dryness, and fruity aftertaste. A hint of sweet white wine and vanilla lingers pleasantly on the palate.