Distilled at Tobermory in February 2008, this generously peated Ledaig single malt was filled into a refill hogshead, where it remained for the next dozen years.
Appearance: Rose wine. A beaded swirl line quickly forms, with many rippling medium legs forming a corrugated film around the inside of the glass. The film is sticky and climbs to the glass for ages.
Nose: A good heady wave of the ethanol. Once acclimated to the ABV, the sweet and slightly ashy smoke, raspberries, blackberries and a touch of spring water appear.
There’s not that much more to the nose, it’s very straight forward and direct and that’s great, it’s bang on the money as it is.
Palate: A lovely oily mouthfeel. Buttered toast, the sweet and ashy smoke and a decent helping of black pepper and cinnamon. Lashings of blueberry BBQ sauce slathered meat, honey, blackberries and subtle icing sugar.
Finish: The BBQ meat, berries, honey, smoke and icing sugar last for a decent length of time. Black pepper and a little citrus tingle on the longest.
Overall: An absolute banger. Only 44 bottles and all obviously gone. If you can find one at auction, get it.
