Edradour 10 Year Old

Harsh score, but I see where you’re coming from. It's a very odd whisky, medicinal and herby and not altogether pleasant.

I do wonder if there was something wrong with the sample I had. I have never had a single malt that I actively disliked before. I've had some that I've been disappointed or underwhelmed by, but not that I would turn down. And I have had quite a lot. I was expecting this to be somewhat similar to the new Tobermory 10 or a Pulteney 12, both of which I really like, and so had quite high hopes for this as I like whiskies with a good bit of character and strong flavours. But I don't think I would drink another one of these if it tasted the same. Must try it again at some point to see if there really is a whisky I'd turn down!

Only tried one Edradour so far, the Caledonia 12yo: maltsofpandemonium.blogspot.be/2014/03/… No soapiness there, so I have no idea where that rumor keeps coming from. Does it really have soap taste/scent or is it just a term to describe the texture?

Thanks for the link Pandemonium. This is the only Edradour I've had, but my experience of the 10 was very different to your notes on the Caladonia. I certainly was describing the taste and nose here when I said it was 'soapy and processed'. It just tasted like there was a trace of something really manufactured in there, like perfume or soap. I know people sometimes describe some whiskies as perfumed, but this did literally taste like some perfume or something similar had found its way into it. Maybe there was something wrong with my sample of it, as I really don't see how this could be found to be appealing otherwise, and I'm generally easily pleased with whiskies - as well as not being prone to describe them as perfumed or soapy!

You're not the only one who claims to have tasted soap in Edradour. Some claim that it is linked with a product that is added to mash in the washbacks. Due to their limited size at Edradour, they would mix in this product to prevent an overflow with the fermenting wash rising in volume. It would make the mash less bubbly. I just couldn't put my finger on it how that would actually translate in a soapy taste.

I've not had great experiences with this distillery's product either

Thanks Pandemonium - that's interesting info. It sounds like there could be something in that, although it's very speculative as you say.