Edradour Dougie MacLean's Caledonia Selection 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Thank Dougie for this beautifully rounded, richly Sherried malt from a squeaky clean cask.

Originally released in 1997 as a US exclusive, this special bottling was initially matured in Bourbon casks for approximately five years followed by an extended period in oloroso sherry casks. Described by the boys at Edradour as "an old fashioned whisky for those looking for how it used to be made", the aim here has been to retain maximum flavour for your buck.

The story goes MacLean was visiting Edradour and helped select the first cask for bottling. Clearly, Maclean has talents besides songwriting as this has been an ongoing success. Named after his famous tune, "Caledonia", Maclean reflects on his choice, adding, “I wrote Caledonia, in 1977 on a beach in Brittany, France, when I was genuinely homesick for Scotland. My life has always been based in Perthshire. For me, the location of Edradour, with its neat cluster of whitewashed buildings, traditional equipment and employment of ancient methods of making single malt whisky, combined with its state of the art bottling facility, typify Caledonia.”

Tasting note: Bright topaz. An intense medley of dried fruits on the nose, Christmas cake and a touch of ginger bread in later passes. Rich and rounded in the mouth with juicy raisin, spiced stewed fruits and warming cinnamon heat. Finish is vivacious, not overly sweet, with spicy oak and late fruitiness of a dark chocolate kind. A keenly poised, buxom Sherried beauty from a squeaky clean cask. 46% Alc./Vol. Natural colour and non-chill-filtered.

Other reviews... about as thick as it gets. Nose this and fruit is soon dripping off your proboscis...the lingering oils confirm a wide cut has been made those dozen years back...Gosh, hold onto your hats, this is some ride! 91 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2016

A release chosen by Douglas Maclean (and named after his song “Caledonia”). Full sherry impact, but contained—not excessive or sappy. Rich, with nutty toffee, pot still rum, a variety of raisins (regular and golden), date, honeyed fruit, polished leather, and a hint of tobacco. Good resinous grip on the finish to balance the sweetness. The flavors are nicely integrated. 46% Alc./Vol.
87 points
- www.maltadvocate.com (Summer 2010) Reviewed by: John Hansell