Scotland, Southern Highlands. Distillery operational. Owner: Signatory Vintage & Co

After 70 years in the hands of American (J.G. Turney & Sons) and French (Pernod Ricard) owners, Scotland's smallest distillery reclaimed its independence and became 100% Scottish once again on 22 July 2002. Until this point, its entire production was absorbed by the group's blends, Clan Campbell, House of Lord and King Ransom. A 10 year old version was nonetheless released in 1986. Things remained this way until 2002 when, like many distilleries enjoying rediscovered independence and under the aegis of Andrew Symington (owner of Signatory Vintage), Edradour underwent an incredible transformation that enabled it to reveal the complexity of its profile. Coming under the watchful eye of the former manager of Laphroaig, Ian Henderson, who for was for a time Edradour's master distiller, peat became second nature and the distillery began producing a second malt named Ballechin.

The sixth bottling in the Discovery range, this Ballechin peated at 50 ppm was bottled in 2011 and matured in first-fill bourbon casks. A limited edition of 6,000 bottles.