Origin: Isle of Mull (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 48%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Sherry butt refill
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: LMDW
Average price: € 140.00
Official website: www.whisky.fr
Back on the blog is Maison du Whisky’s Artist Collective bottlings.
Today we taste a Ledaig from two ex-sherry refill casks, bottled in 2007 and drained in 2020, offered to the drinker at 48% in its natural color and without chillfiltration.
Tasting Notes
The color is pale gold.
The nose is a grilled riot with sizzling fat and pork before and after the grill (especially bacon). A dusting of pepper and a trace of charcoal are accompanied by a hint of leather and memories of heavy braking and screeching tires on asphalt. The balsamic drift is fueled by an ostentatious hint of licorice, while dark chocolate marries with a mirage of cooked meat that takes us back to lavish Christmas dinners long gone.
On the palate, the grilled meat proves pleasantly irredeemable, with black pepper this time matching a salted caramel sweetness. Dark chocolate and orange zest travel arm in arm before smoked peaches in syrup take over, opening the door to a rather long finish that leaves memories of dark chocolate, pepper, charcoal and a hint of cigarette smoke in the mouth.
The balance between Ledaig’s peaty power and the influence of the former sherry casks is commendable, with the wood never taking over, but clearly pushing the distillate in a particular direction. The result is a full-bodied, palatable, almost chewy drink that is also appreciated for its perfect strength.
Vote: 87/100