Ledaig 18 Year

A fitting conclusion to the year, marking 116 distillery entries for 2023. I am incredibly thankful to a generous individual who has provided many of my tastings this year. With one more offering from them after this, I felt this 18-year-old Ledaig and distillery whisky review, my 250th, would be a high point for 2023. I enjoyed Tobermory 12 and will likely need to purchase a bottle again. I previously described Ledaig 10 as: “Precise and delicate, yet effective, like a surgeon's scalpel. The peat is beautifully controlled and simply integrates into the palate. Clean, crisp, and well-executed. Definitely worth purchasing.” I anticipate this pour from the Isle of Mull will be excellent... Nose: A rich, earthy coolness permeates everything. The earthiness is best characterized as a mildly mineral and oaky tar smoke. Wafts of cool smoke are seamlessly blended with dark chocolate, cherry, leather, citrus zest, and a subtle honey sweetness. I'm almost reluctant to taste it now, fearing the palate might not match this exceptional nose? Palate: Oily and full-bodied with a delightful juiciness that makes my mouth water. The earthy aroma translates directly to the palate, revealing a slightly brown sugar-malt crunch, reminiscent of cookie dough. There's a refreshing sweetness akin to melon juice and preserved lemon rind. Nut butter contributes roundness and fullness. Spices like pepper, ginger, and a hint of chili add interest and zest. The tannins are restrained and pair well with the smoke, which is like a smoldering hay bale. Finish: Long. Partly oily, partly dry. Beautifully crisp, firm yet gentle oak spice, creosote, and a suggestion of sea spray (imagine licking a beach pebble; that's the suggestion). This is not a whisky that will overwhelm you with complexity and nuance; it won't introduce you to entirely new flavors or sensations. However, I must admit it is nearly perfect despite that. This is expertly crafted whisky. Every element has clearly been understood and respected; good whisky made properly, as it should be. Simplicity and precision deserve to be brought back into the spotlight (I'm looking at you, new world whiskies from Israel, Australia, Taiwan, England). Despite being relatively straightforward, there's still depth and gravitas to the profile, and it will still draw you in to savor every drop. Following the example of another reviewer, I know I'm not awarding this a perfect score. The four drams I've given 5/5 are extraordinary in my opinion. But, I'm contemplating whether this is a 4.5 or a 4.75. A 4.75 is in the league of Talisker 18, Highland Park 18 and 25. A 4.5 includes notable spirits like Ardbeg Uigeadail and Corryvreckan, Highland Park Mjolner, Arran Argonne, The Lakes Reserve, Laphroig Lore, and Talisker 8 y/o 2021. A 4.75 is very esteemed territory for me, and looking back at my reviews, the key characteristic of my three 4.75s is an excitement that is slightly less pronounced in the next tier down. A 4.5 is where this Ledaig 18 sits, and it finds itself in excellent company. Another huge thank you to my generous benefactor, and a happy new year to anyone reading my lengthy reviews. Cheers! Distillery whisky taste #250 [Pictured with a replica of “Mrs. Ples”. Mrs Ples is a 2.5 million year old fossil of Australopithecus africanus discovered in 1947 in Sterkfontein, South Africa. The discovery of this near complete specimen helped lend credence to the notion that South African Australopithecines were indeed hominids. Originally thought to be a female, it is no longer known that Mrs Ples is in fact; Mr Ples] Tobermory running scores Tobermory 12: 4/5 Ledaig 10: 3.75/5 Ledaig 18: 4.5/5

Nose: Gentle coal smoke, oak that stirs the imagination, oloroso sherry, dark cherries, muted orchard fruits, a touch of creosote, and subtle leathery undertones. Harmonious blend. Palate: An earthy malt taste upon arrival, with ginger, cinnamon, and white pepper, alongside coal and wood smoke. The core of the palate offers a sweet, dark maltiness with mild sweet/spicy chutney notes, all balanced by a gentle yet encompassing smoke. It possesses a wonderfully smooth, oily texture. Finish: Lasts a medium-long time and fades very slowly. Sweet lemon, warming spices, oak tannins, and licorice. A remarkable spirit that consistently captivates my senses with its unique "clean yet rough" character. I'm not entirely sure why this particular bottling resonates so strongly, but it contains everything I appreciate in lightly peated Highland malts from the west coast, bearing a significant resemblance to Longrow. My initial tasting was not long ago (March 3rd, 2022) from a sample. At that time, I gave it a rating of 4.25 and immediately purchased a bottle. Since then, I've experienced it two more times, once at a friend's place and the third time just last night at the event. There's not much new to add to my original assessment, so I've included a summary of tasting notes here. What truly speaks volumes is that after the tasting, I hurried to the sales counter and bought two additional bottles of this excellent whisky for my collection. Considering the fair price, I might acquire more if I can locate the same batch. I'm very fond of this spirit. "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars) --------------------------------------------------- [Reviewed from March 3, 2022] Nose: Faint coal smoke and barrel aromas – reminiscent of an oak dresser that has resided in a room with a fireplace for years. Sweet wine-like scents from the sherry cask, dark cherries, dusky orchard fruits, a hint of creosote, and some leathery notes in the background. The nose is beautifully integrated, possessing a succulent and appealing quality. Palate: A delightful, somewhat rough arrival with earthy notes. Ginger, cinnamon, and white pepper mingle with wisps of the same oak smoke detected on the nose, swirling around the palate. There's a sweet, almost candy-like hint, but the progression is mainly a continuation of the initial taste, as the pervasive smoky character gradually takes over. Lovely texture, a subtle oily asphalt quality, with only faint rubbery notes. Finish: Medium-long and very gradual. The development on the palate slowly transitions into a twilight state with citrus, hot spices, oak tannin, and licorice as the final flourish. A truly fine whisky. It shares characteristics with Bunnahabhain 18 and bears a notable resemblance to Longrow. It presents more like a west coast/Campbeltown malt than an Islay. This is a substantial, robust dram that can be savored for an extended period, rewarding unhurried contemplation. It benefits from water, which softens the profile and enhances sweetness, but I found it nearly perfect neat. Tasted from a 20 ml sample, and I have just ordered a full-sized bottle for my collection. "Very Good": 87/100 (4.25 stars)

PEAT comes after the sherry, and it's the spicy kind, not fruity or sweet. Gentle notes of marzipan and almonds. Dry walnut shells, dusty malt, and a dusty bourbon character. Leather, chamomile, dry peppermint/mint, and cooling eucalyptus. Oak nuts, oak forest. Pine resin. Orange peels, dates, peach, apricot, lemon peels. Lemongrass. Gentle minerality. Chestnuts. Ginger, nutmeg. Floral notes like daisies, cherry blossoms, lilies, and rose petals. East Asian cooking spices. SAFFRON. Cloudberries, rhubarb, and gooseberries. Fresh cut grass. Hay. Nectarines, dried. Anise. Carrots, freshly dug from the earth. HORSERADISH. Cocoa powder. A hint of banana peels. Smoked herring. Black pepper. Pepper steak, also bell peppers. Ferns, green shrubs, the pungent aromas of early summer's growing greenery. Garlic breadsticks. Red and dry black licorice. Balsamic vinegar spices. Cola cubes. Mixed barbecue spices. A whisper of cardamom. White pepper. Curry rice. With air and a tiny bit of water, vanilla, white grapes. - a subtle rancio. Aromatic leather shoe store scent, that soft, elegant leather note found in an Ardbeg 10, intense initially but it mellows quickly: New car smell. The peat and sherry find equilibrium and balance each other after some time. Smoked meat peatiness emerges as the bottle airs out. Smoked bacon. Not overly fishy or tarry; just slightly coastal. (UPDATE: Becomes more sea-spray and seafood-like after a few months: fish sashimi, shrimp on the grill. Fudge-like chocolate also becomes more pronounced.) - A noticeable but not overpowering sulfur presence, which some find off-putting. And it must be said, there's a rather prominent wet cardboard aroma. A drop of water and especially aeration reduce this: with sufficient air, a distinct Tiger Balm scent partially takes over, followed by barbecue spice, and salt & pepper potato chips. With a bit of patience, it transforms into a truly satisfying experience. Enjoy it gradually.

The nose begins with applewood smoked bacon, stewed plums, and aged leather-bound books, then powder sugar-dusted dark chocolate torte, toasted hazelnuts, lightly scorched hay bales, and seaside minerality. This transitions to musty grapes, sautéed apples, and charred orange peel, culminating in cloves, candied ginger, and polished oak with a subtle ethanol burn. The taste presents a medium mouthfeel, starting with sweet and creamy orange, followed by applewood smoked bacon, stewed plums, and leather-bound books. A mild spice quickly fades into cocoa-dusted prunes, toasted hazelnuts, burning hay bales, and seaside minerality. It then moves to musty grapes, sautéed apples, and candied lemon peel, finishing with cloves, candied ginger, and freshly lit pipe tobacco with a moderate ethanol burn. The finish is long, featuring dark chocolate-covered raisins, creamy orchard fruit, lightly scorched hay bales, seaside minerality, dusty leather-bound books, and freshly lit pipe tobacco. This is a sophisticated Ledaig, where the extra aging has introduced dusty leather notes that complement flavors of smoked meats, caramelized fruits, light farmyard funk, seaside minerality, and tobacco, resulting in a very well-balanced and polished dram. The 46.3% ABV delivers richer flavors than anticipated, just shy of bold, with a lengthy, lingering finish of tobacco smoke, sweet citrus, and old leather. Unfortunately, I missed the chance to purchase this under $100, but it's still available for under $130, and I consider it a tremendous value for an 18-year-old smoky and well-aged whisky.

The body in the glass appears neither thin nor heavy. Swirling it reveals a substantial coating that delicately descends the glass. Not thick, viscous streams, but rather a smooth layer moving very slowly as a single entity. When left undisturbed, small, 1/8" pearls form an attractive pattern after a few minutes. I suspect this is quite well-made, and I'm eager to try it. The aroma consists of dried black olives, smoked sea salt, and overcooked bacon. After a few more minutes of rest and another sniff, I detect old leather and tobacco, reminiscent of a favorite jacket often kept in a humidor. Returning for another smell, I find cherry wood dust and chalk, transporting me back to middle-school shop class. I enjoy this. Immensely. The five minutes of resting and ten minutes of nosing were well worth it, and the palate is a delightful reward. Oysters, perfectly seared scallops, and pancetta mingle on a smoky, salty background. This evokes a barbeque on a beach on a warm sunny day with a gentle sea breeze. Wonderful. The mid-palate introduces a hint of unsweetened cherries (perhaps a chutney?) that complements the savory notes, allowing the smoke to take center stage and conclude the experience. I'm aware this is peated, but I wouldn't describe it as heavily peated. The smoke is integral to the overall experience but never dominates, providing a solid foundation for the variety of flavors and aromas. I'm very pleased we visited the food and drink expo while exploring Oban. A cherished memory and a fine Scotch.

This drink gets a lot of attention, so let's see. Review of a sample. Nose - Intense smoke that combines smoked wood and burnt plastic. It faintly brings back memories of my childhood when my room filled with smoke. My father was away, and my mother called the fire department due to concerns about an electrical fire. A tall firefighter quickly identified the issue: a melted Lego on top of my lamp. As I explore further, sweetness emerges, reminding me of a happy place, like a Laphroaig. There's a medicinal quality, reminiscent of a doctor's office, along with plenty of delicious smoked meats, light fruits, and caramel mint notes. Taste - A bit front-heavy. It blends oak, mint, and spice, with the flavors hitting strongly at the front of the palate and then fading quickly. However, it has a nice finish. I've mostly tried the brand's CS LE's or IB bottlings. This might be my first core bottle, and it's much more Islay-like than previous experiences. I'm impressed by the flavor intensity. I really enjoy the wood smoke notes but dislike the plastic notes. The finish could be improved. A good amount of peppery spice on the finish too, which I think is detracting from it. I believe this should be better, but I'm not quite there yet. 2.25. It just needs to be better; something isn't quite coming together. I'll leave this open to revisit and adjust. This brand consistently seems like it should be good but always leaves me wanting more.