Ledaig is the peated whisky distilled at the Tobermory Distillery on the Hebridean Isle of Mull, They split their distilling year into 50% peated and 50% unpeated. These three drams are from the peated 50% and range in age from 9 to 18 years. The 9yo was bottled by Douglas McGibbon (sister company of Douglas Laing) so may well have been matured in a different part of Scotland, probably Glasgow, from the other two.
Dram | 9yo Douglas McGibbon Single Cask Providence | 10yo | 18yo Batch #3 Spanish Sherry Wood Finish |
Characteristics | 46% ABV, Non-coloured, NCF, Single Cask | 46.3% ABV, Non-coloured, BCF | 46.3% ABV, Non-coloured, NCF |
Distillery info | Nose: Distinctly maritime in style as it opens on the nose softening to a crushed sugar and coffee style. Palate: The palate is softly peated, lightly tarred with a late sweet hue prevalent. Finish: All of which roll over onto the smokey and oceanic finish replicating much of what has gone on before. | Nose: Sweet briny smokiness with distinct island character and playful notes that hint at mild antiseptic, creosote, wax polish, mint chocolate and floral seaside aromas. Soft peat, gentle smoke. Palate: Tantalisingly sweet, medicinal flavours infused with enticing sparks of spicy pepper and dried fruit with rich peaty smoke and a velvety vanilla and malty creaminess. Finish: A wondrous union of sublimely spicy white pepper, the vibrant sweetness of liquorice and a kick of cloves with a exquisite lingering saltiness. | Nose: Rich, fruity sherried smokiness, lovely balance of phenols, seaweed and light creosote, dried chilli flakes, spicy black pepper with hints of sweet oakiness. Palate: Powerful rich, sherried, herbal smoky flavours, orange peel, coffee, a touch of sea salt, tobacco and white pepper. Finish: Long and quite pungent with more smoke, a hint of liquorice and sea spray. |
My thoughts: | |||
Appearance | |||
Pale gold, swirls lead to thick slow legs | Light gold, swirls bead up to an inverted crown before falling slowly as thin legs | Dark gold, swirls bead up to an inverted crown before falling slowly as thin legs | |
Nose | Loads of maritime smoke, some damp hay with hints of citrus - orange & lemon and some strawberry. An unusual dry smoke from this one. | Again the maritime smoke, damp hay and strawberry but no sign of the citrus. Hints of honey and rubber bands. | Oh that's unusual! It's like each nostril is getting something different - one the maritime smoke and the other a dunnage warehouse. They come together in a bit of an explosion. |
Palate | Thick creamy mouthfeel the smoke dominates with some orchard fruit notes, slightly sour and drying as it goes down the throat. | Thick creamy mouthfeel, lots of fruit and a little bite of spice before a blanket of smoke comes in. Hints of salt, raisins and honey with again a slight sour note. | Thick and creamy again but immediately spicy - lots of toffee, black cherries and plums then a gentle smoke. Hints of coffee and citrus. |
Finish | Short with smoky bacon crisps, again drying. | Short salty spicy smoky finish with a drying effect like ash from a fire. | Long spicy smoky finish with some of the sweetness from the dark fruit. |
Overall | The 9yo and 10yo were quite similar and both surprisingly drying. The 18yo, finished in Sherry casks had an obvious nose and palate difference. All three were lovely drams, a nice alternative to medicinal Islay peated drams. |
Thanks to @WhiskyManc, @Bearded_Whisky and @ScotchB78 for the sample swaps!
No comments:
Post a Comment