Whisky Review/Tasting: Ledaig 18 Years

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Isle of Mull, Scotland, produced by Tobermory Distillery.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Matured in superior oak wood casks and finished in Spanish sherry wood casks.
Age Statement: 18 years.
Color: Copper gold.
Clarity: Not specifically mentioned, but the detailed description of color suggests clarity.
Bottle Design: Comes in a beautifully made wooden box with unique roundings, indicating a premium presentation.

Balance of Flavors: Dominantly peaty with a strong presence of smoke, complemented by sherry richness.
Unique Characteristics: Despite its age, it maintains a strong peaty flavor, which is less common in older peated whiskies where smoke typically fades.
Comparison: The smokiness is more dominant than in other whiskies, even those matured or finished in sherry casks, making the sherry influence less dominant.

Anecdotes/Trivia: The distillery, Tobermory, and its sister distillery, Deanston, switched their bottlings to 46.3% ABV about five to seven years ago, moving to non-chill filtered whiskies. The name "Ledaig" is not the exact pronunciation used by natives of the Isle of Mull, indicating a rich local heritage.

Historical Context: Ledaig 18 Years Old is produced on the Isle of Mull, a location with a distinct identity within the Scotch whisky world. The use of peated malt and water from Tobermory Distillery's private source on the Isle adds to its unique character.

Opinions: Horst Luening, the master taster, finds the whisky to be intensely peaty with a long finish where smoke remains dominant. He notes the presence of floral notes and orange peel behind the smoke.
Quotes: "It's strong. Yeah. It's spicy. Pungent? No, I wouldn't say that. Chili? Peppery? Yes."

Ledaig 18 Years Old is a peated single malt Scotch whisky from Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull.
Matured in oak wood casks and finished in Spanish sherry wood casks.
Maintains a strong peaty and smoky profile despite its age.
Presented in a premium wooden box, indicating a high-quality product.
The whisky is non-chill filtered and bottled at 46.3% ABV.
Flavor profile includes sherry richness, smoke, floral notes, orange peel, and a hint of licorice.

Peat Lovers: Those who appreciate a strong peaty and smoky profile will enjoy this whisky.
Experienced Whisky Enthusiasts: Individuals with a palate for complex, aged whiskies that maintain a robust character.
Sherry Cask Finish Appreciators: While the sherry influence is not dominant, those interested in the subtle interplay of sherry wood finish and peat might find this intriguing.
Collectors: The unique presentation and limited release nature make it a worthy addition to a collection.