Ledaig 11 Virgin Oak Finish (2010/2022)

Nose: Sweet, buttery malt, oiled leather, linseed oil, dry autumn leaves, vanilla, and Fisherman’s Friend lozenges. There's a subtle, gentle peat smoke, and the aroma has a floral quality that might suggest maturation in an ex-Sauternes cask. The 55.8% ABV is exceptionally well-integrated, with no alcoholic bite. Adding water reveals orange zest and brine, at the expense of its oily character. Neat: 90/100, Diluted: 87/100 Palate: Peat smoke is more pronounced on the palate than the nose. The initial taste is robust, with a spicy, alcoholic tingle. As it develops, notes of smoky pineapple, smoked ham, brine, salted plum, oak tannin, and ginger emerge. The texture is rich and creamy. Diluting smooths the palate by reducing the alcohol's intensity and bringing forward sweet orange, Demerara sugar, and sea salt. This balance is quite pleasing. Neat: 86/100, Diluted: 88/100 Finish: Long, with smoke, ash, woody peat, caramel, and grapefruit. Dilution extends the finish and adds a bittersweet citrus and saltiness, though it slightly reduces crispness. The aftertaste is honey-sweet. Neat: 88/100, Diluted: 87/100 This is a highly enjoyable, limited edition Ledaig, exclusively sold at the distillery. I often find Ledaig's peat smoke reminiscent of Springbank rather than Islay peat, which is clearly evident here. If tasted blind, I would mistake it for a Springbank or Longrow. Neat, the nose is slightly superior to the palate and finish, but it remains excellent overall. Adding a small amount of water diminishes the nose's brilliance somewhat, which is unfortunate, but the impact on the palate and finish compensates for this. It's delightful either way. This is a very satisfying whisky that I strongly recommend. However, be aware that neither this 55.8% expression nor the subsequent 57% version is available in large bottles from the distillery. You can still purchase 50ml sample bottles at the distillery, and 700ml bottles might be found on auction sites. Tasted from a bottle purchased at Tobermory distillery on April 14, 2025. "Very Good": 87/100 (4.25 stars)