Description

Edradour 2012 Aged 12 Years Cabernet Sauvignon Michael Eppan Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 48.2%           Age: 12 Years Old           Country: Scotland

The Whisky

The Edradour 2012 Aged 12 Years (Michael Eppan Cabernet Sauvignon Cask) is a rare and decadent single malt that showcases the distillery’s mastery of unique wine finishing. Distilled in 2012 and bottled in 2024/2025, this expression spent its final years maturing in high quality Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks sourced from the renowned Michael Eppan estate in the South Tyrol region of Italy. Bottled at a robust 46% ABV, it remains non-chill filtered and naturally coloured.

This bottling is part of a highly curated series where Edradour’s heavy, oily spirit is paired with prestigious European wine wood. The Michael Eppan casks are prized for their structural tannins and deep black-fruit influence. Because Edradour uses traditional, small copper stills, the spirit is exceptionally “chewy,” allowing it to stand up to the intense, vinous character of the Cabernet Sauvignon without being overshadowed.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich and deeply fruited. Initial aromas of blackcurrants and red cherries are met by a signature Edradour “earthiness.” As it breathes, notes of dark chocolate, cedar wood, and a hint of roasted coffee beans emerge, rounded off by a touch of vanilla spice.

Palate: The mouthfeel is thick and syrupy. You are greeted by a wave of stewed forest fruits and plum jam, followed by the savoury tannins of the Cabernet wine. Mid-palate, flavours of liquorice, clove, and toasted oak develop, creating a complex “dark” sweetness that is both spicy and smooth.

Finish: Long, warming, and elegantly dry. The finish lingers with berry tartness and dark cocoa, leaving a final, sophisticated trail of tannic oak and sweet pipe tobacco.

The Distillery

Edradour, located near Pitlochry in the Highlands, was long famous for being the smallest distillery in Scotland. While it has recently expanded, it remains a bastion of Victorian-era distilling. A unique factual detail: Edradour still utilises a Morton refrigerator (an ancient type of heat exchanger) to cool its wort, a piece of equipment virtually unseen elsewhere in the industry. This traditional, hands-on approach results in one of the most distinctive and robust Highland spirits, often described as having a “farmhouse” or “old-school” character that is highly sought after by enthusiasts.

Overall Review

Critics have hailed this 12 year old release as a masterclass in wine finishing. It is widely reviewed as a “sophisticated dessert dram,” praised for its ability to integrate the bold, dry tannins of Italian Cabernet Sauvignon with the naturally sweet and heavy spirit of Edradour.