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.
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.
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.
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.
Lots of beautiful smoke; there's a lovely gentle peat smoke on the palate, which combines with a dark charred oak and coal smoke on the palate, before both merge together for a delicious finish. Amongst this there is a deep rich complexity and warmth. Black pepper, spice, seaside air and iodine are the most prominent, but give this time and you'll begin to get some great mellow fruity notes too. Fantastic, complex, tasty and un-chillfiltered. Wonderful.
Ledaig 10 reminds me of Isle of Jura releases. Ledaig 10 is better than Isle of Jura Superstition though. Worth checking out! Jason's Scotch Reviews
