Ledaig Sinclair Series Rioja Cask

Nose: Coal-fire smoke, raspberries, strawberries, rose hip tisane. The signature Ledaig sooty smoke is very apparent and there is also a mossy, earthy quality. Some restrained cinnamon and clove. Palate: Similar to the nose, coal smoke and red berries on the arrival leading into a mildly spiced and cereal-focused development with white pepper, cinnamon and a little salt. The texture is medium and pleasantly dry, becoming more drying as it progresses with a grassy, hay-like note appearing and the salty maritime quality building into the finish. Finish: Medium. Spicy/sweet fruits and a waft of distant charcoal that dissolves into a dry, briny aftertaste with a hint of the red berries. A maritime malt which, although technically “heavily peated” at 30-40ppm, has good balance between its smoky and wine-influenced facets. Ledaig does not show bonfire or barbecue smoke notes (at least in my experience). Instead, it has a sooty, mineral quality that is not unlike smelling a coal scuttle or unburnt barbecue briquettes. It’s a dry, almost austere character that I have always found very appealing. Its unpeated stablemate, Tobermory, also has this dry, mineralic austerity. This NAS expression was the first release in the distillery’s Sinclair Series, named after John Sinclair who founded the distillery in 1798. Initially matured in refill bourbon casks and then finished in ex-Rioja wine casks of undisclosed origin, it has the youthful exuberance and smokiness of young peated whisky, but it is certainly not rough or immature. I’d say it is around 5-8 years old. On first tasting I was reminded of the very good Ledaig 10 year old but without that expression’s citrus and ginger notes and instead featuring a cosy blanket of sweet red fruit. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)

My second Ledaig is a peaty surprise, and it is starting to call my attention because of the prizes that this distillery is winning and the good products they seem to be making. This expression has been matured in Spanish Rioja Wine casks. Bottled at 46.3%abv, a peach color. On the nose, a good mixture between fruitiness and peat. Strawberry juice, peaches, cigarrettes. Herbal, cherry syrup, a mossy peat and peach syrup. The palate was great!: Starts super Salty, then releases a red fruit syrup, pepper. Very sulphuric; Gunpowder. A sexond sip became interesting and weird, but not bad: swamp, pond and rainforest. Yes, you read that right. Aftertaste is very smokey and super dry. Ashy and super salty, lovely peat. Overall, this was a great expression, mostly peaty with some fruitiness. The peat shows itself in herbal and wet ways, that is why this dram made me remember ponds and rainforests. Cool experience, i would recommend it, bit i might not drink it constantly, my score for it is an 89 over 100.

On the nose, you’re met with a maritime peat, perhaps with a hint of clove, raspberry, and sea salt following. Palate: Demerara sugar, caramel, and earthy peat. Not so earthy as a Laphroaig (I mean, what is), but this is pretty darn close for a non-islay. In terms of body, it’s on the light side of syrupy. Very nice with the 46ish % Finish: Peat, homemade caramel, charred oak spices (clove, the bitter side of anise). This is stellar for the price point.