Signatory Edradour 10 Year NCF

 

Following on the heels of my lovely Signatory bottling of the Linkwood 11 year is this very nice Signatory bottling of Edradour 10 year. Edradour is usually a sherry-forward dram, but this independent bottling is even nicer than the usual core expression, being neither chill filtered nor colored, and coming in at a slightly higher than usual 46%. Not to mention the fancy silver canister the bottle arrives in.  

This is all a rather curious thing, since Signatory has owned Edradour since 2002: that makes this a rather curious semi-upscale unofficial-official bottle, barely costing more than the normal 10 year, yet with a craft presentation. How does it make out?

Nose: Quite rich with the usual sherry bomb flavors: syrupy raisins, dry red wine, dried red fruit, a lovely nuttiness (hazlenuts?), some alcohol tingle... and at first, some minute traces of that unusual forestal wet leaves-and-moss note that I've seen in other Edradour bottlings and which is probably some variation of sulfur. In this case, it spices things up nicely without overstaying its welcome. As the bottle drains, the sherry influences fade noticeably and the sulfur note moves forward along with a strong wood scent: planks of oak, resting on leather. 

Mouthfeel: Silky. 

Palate: Even stronger than the nose with the sherry influence, this is very nice - more juicy raisins, rum raisin ice cream, tawny port, stone fruit (perhaps even peach, although I'm not sure), and more of the nutty aftertaste which is so appealing. Marzipan? Perhaps.  As the amount of liquid goes down in the bottle, the oak comes to the forefront, the sherry recedes, and the sulfuric note becomes a little more forward. 

Finish: Here is where the wood comes out to play - a rather long finish filled with white pepper, chocolate (mounds of it), and lots of oak tannins which mix quite pleasantly. Delectable. 

Verdict: As far as sherry bombs go, this is a cut above the usual crowd of Aberlour 12, Glendronach 12, Glenfarclas 15, etc. Not a GIANT cut above, but a nick or two. It's very clean - nothing is muddy or muddled - and the tastes are all so rich yet never cloying. The 46% ABV really does this bottle some favors. This is highly recommended anywhere you can find it - presuming you like sherry and port - and easily recommended over the core 10 year bottling.