Reviews for Ledaig 10 Year Old
Breathe baby
Like the others have said, knock the top off and leave it alone for a week or so. What a difference it makes. This little beauty is one of my favourites.
Master of Malt Customer Sep 3, 2013
The mystery transformation
I find almost every incarnation of Ledaig I've ever tried benefits from some 'open bottle time'. It's amazing after a fortnight of being open how it appears to approve so markedly as detailed by others here. I was hugely disappointed with an independent bottling I once tried, so much so that it nearly went down the sink! I gave it the benefit of the doubt and it was if the liquid had undergone a miracle transformation; it had become sublime!
Master of Malt Customer Aug 2, 2013
Good, but takes time (and air)
When I initially bought this and cracked it to have a taste, it seemed far too green and young. I had purchased it on the promise of a slightly different peated whisky from the standard Islay variety. I have to say I was disappointed, because I could hardly sense any peat but got only an overwhelming feeling that this had been bottled too early.
Fortunately, the Ledaig 10 year improved by leaps and bounds after having been open for about a week. I'm no chemist but I'm almost certain that the small amount of oxidation made a marked difference. Now, tasting it I can agree much more wholeheartedly with the above tasting notes. Although the young, green, herbaceous taste persists, it's now balanced with a delightful fruity complement, something almost reminiscent of cognac. The oak barrels also add a gentle, mildly vanilla note to the whole affair and, as one reviewer above as said, an extra drop or two of water will draw out those sweet vanillins and the apple-y, fruity notes somewhat, without destroying the flavour. The peat is now also much more apparent, much to my relief!
I have yet to try the Tobermory 15 year, but I suspect that this would make a good complement to it, being a slightly younger, more peated and rougher version. Buy with certainty that this WILL be a good whisky, just don't expect it to be one the moment you open it. I'm giving it a four for the development of a rich and relatively complex palate, but a few marks off for not having a particularly distinctive or lingering finish.
Master of Malt Customer Jul 9, 2013
Incredible
I bought this to replace Talisker 10 as my Island malt (I like to keep one from each region with no overlapping flavor profiles). Ledaig 10 is what Talisker 10 wishes it could be. 2 small drops of water and this really opens up. Oily, seaside, spicy, peaty, exactly what you'd want from an Island whisky. I will definitely look at Tobermory's other offerings once this bottle is finished.
Master of Malt Customer Jun 3, 2013
Outstanding
The bottle I have is definitely smokey and spicy, the iodine is there and not just hinted, and a bit of sweetness and fruit on top.
I am a bit surprised for the comparision with Caolila above I don't agree, it is a nice one but Ledaig follow another philosophy, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Yet that recommendation of airing the bottle is a good one, not just for this one, mine tasted a lot better when about 1/3 had been consumed.
Water definitely needed, else one would go numb with the 46% alcohol.
Even so my recommendation is no more than about a 20-25% water, not to dilute the experience too much.
Ledaig is completely outstanding for the price.
Master of Malt Customer May 31, 2013