islay_emissary
Ledaig 18 Year
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
August 18, 2019 (edited February 16, 2024)
Tasted from a Tobermory Wee Dram sample pack purchased on the helpful advice of @Richard-ModernDrinking. It’s a great way to explore the range with 5 samples aged from 10 to 19 years and matured in various cask types. Tobermory/Ledaig, Deanston, and Bunnahabhain are three Scottish distilleries that fall under the umbrella of Distell Group Ltd., a South African wine & spirits conglomerate with sales exceeding one billion (US). This particular offering has been polarizing here with ratings from 2 to 5 stars by the Distiller site regulars. Typically released in limited batches, I’ve only been able to track down one remaining bottle of their last batch (#3) in the Boston area. The company only advertises this product as a “Small Batch Spanish Sherry Wood Finish” spirit, but the bourbon/rye influence is very evident, and probably good indication of ex-bourbon barrel maturation. Take your pick of baking spices, but they team up nicely with sherry and leather to predominate the nose and quell any peat smoke rebellion that may be stirring. The nose is also muted in comparison to the Ledaig 10, despite both weighing in at a healthy 46.3% ABV. This is probably attributed to an Oloroso sherry cask finish that can sometimes flatten a nose as well as any prizefighter worth his salt. A viscous palate is greeted with a delightful combination of fruits and spices, and interweaved with enough smoke and sea spray to make for a respectable islander. I would probably rate the Ledaig 10 slightly higher, but I really enjoyed the uniqueness of this whisky and will give it a well-deserved 4.0 stars for overall quality.
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Interesting that you liked the 10 better. I've never tried the 18, but I'm about to taste the 10 again in the next few weeks.
@SolanaRoots - there’s a couple 9 hole courses on Mull but the distillery makes the trip worthwhile. It’s going to be another Scottish island golf trip with 2nd visit to Islay, then Mull, Skye, and possibly Jura if we can finagle our way onto a private course. Distilleries are a big part of the attraction. :)
@Rick_M Incredible. Which courses are on that isle?
@SolanaRoots - I forgot to mention that the isle of Mull is scheduled as part of next years golf trip, so just warming up. :)
@SolanaRoots - I only purchased the Ledaig because of my peat addiction. :)
Nice review. Did you just pick up a sample pack from Ledaig or did you grab a Deanston one as well?