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.
1st time drinking Ledaig, impressed on opening, if it lasts the week in the decanter I'll re-review any improvements, appears cask strength, like that, drank with a bit filtered soft water, a large couple of glasses and a few quick shots, both in crystal cos I'm posh haha not and now its in feeling and appreciating a lot of complex air and aroma.. sea spray saltiness and I've just been climbing the cliffs recently and this is a good reminder..smokey that lingers and is just lovely and distinct..a yearning for more and more of this richness, like a sweet Laphroaig 10 or cask? A nostalgic flavour of thatched smokey croft houses with open fires by the sea..delicious with smoked salmon..reminds you of yr Scotts heritage..enjoying this a lot and should be sampled for the journey and price. Enjoy. Glad I opened this birthday present early, haha.
This is a very focus and gentle smoky whisky. It is not as bold as some of the Islay's stuff, but rather light, easy drinking and well balanced with spice and light crisp fruit. Bought it at a local Brooklyn store for around $58 USD. Love the sea-salt brininess. Highly recommended!
Too much peppers and earth. Taste very rough. I'm disappointed.
This is a much better dram than the old version and it is currently my favorite affordable peated whisky. Yes it is quite young and crisp but there is also a freshness that comes with this and it doesn't lack in complexity or smoothness. It possesses a particular mix of smoke and sweetness that reminds me at times of the sherried uigeadail but the overall flavor profile probably sits somewhere between the youthful extremes of Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10. It has less muddy peat in the finish than the Laphroaig and less overripe fruit on the nose and finish than Ardbeg. It is in fact quite unique and I prefer it at the moment to both of these great whiskies.
Chiming in to reiterate what others have already advised...if the strong initial impressions of iodine/ medicine/ bandaid in nose and taste put you off, let it breath for a week or so. I left it open in the cabinet and gave the bottle a gentle turn every day or so for 6 days. The stong iodine nose and taste gave way to a sweet, smokey vanilla frost-like nose, similar taste with brine, pleasant smoked peat, and smoked meat and light pepper in the finish. Really enjoying this now over the past month or so.
