The Tobermory Distillery on the picturesque Isle of Mull isn't home to just unpeated whisky. It also makes superbly smoky single malt under the name of Ledaig (that name isn't simply a coincidence, by the way - Ledaig was one of the distillery's previous names!). Distilled using the same pot stills as the classic unpeated Tobermory expression, just with peated barley instead, the whisky boasts plumes of rich, earthy, almost medicinal smoke, with underlying fresh fruit and crushed spice notes. This particular expression ages for 10 years before bottled at the very specific strength of 46.3% ABV.
Quite light and well-balanced. There is a very soft peat with a gentle smoke. Notes of barley and malt extract, with walnut and pine oil and a hint of iodine, dried fruit and nuts.
Medium-bodied and quite rich. There are notes of spice and smoke gathering above the charred oak. The peat is quiet and dry with a touch of black pepper and earth.
Medium-length and slightly smoky with spice.
Goes great with water or without. The smoke is perfectly balanced with the salt/pepper finish. I go through probably more of these than I should do but its such a damn fine drop.
Fantastic drop this one. On top of the sea salt and pepperyness that others have chimed in, the smokiness has a real cigar feel to it along with notes of riding leather. Great neat, add some water and bring some of the sweetness out.
If you think of the un-chillfiltered Islay whisky, this lives up to expectations almost 100%. I prefer Tobermory 10 myself, but this has more of that Islay, oily, smoky feel to it. If looking for reasonably priced quality Islay, this is recommended stuff!
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.
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!
