Ledaig 2012 Bordeaux Cask Matured

Ok you peat freaks, front and centre! Have we got a feisty little number for you! This one isn’t ‘lightly peated’, it doesn’t have ‘wafts of smoke’ nor does it give the ‘suggestion of peat from afar’. This is a big, unashamedly oily, smoky, iodiney and burnt rubbery peated dram with a healthy dose of sweet fruit, plus floral heather notes to boot!

A 9 year old,ex-Bordeaux Cask Matured, Cask Strength, Peated bottle of Pure Joy – The Ledaig 2012 Bordeaux Cask Matured

Our Members Extra is a brand name that – frankly – you have to have been told how to pronounce to do it properly. So let’s get it out of the way right now – Ledaig– which is pronounced ‘Letch-ick’, means ‘safe haven’, and comes from Tobermory Distillery (the only distillery on the Isle of Mull).

Interestingly, Tobermory distils non-peated and peated whisky. The non-peated is released under the Tobermory brand, the peated as Ledaig. Normally Ledaig matures in bourbon casks, then finished in wine casks. This limited edition, however, has been fully matured in ex-Bordeaux red wine casks.

This is a small batch limited edition (only 1697 bottles available worldwide) un-ashamedly peated release from Ledaig, which has spent 9 years maturing in the finest Bordeaux red wine casks. Note – I did say 9 years maturing, not finishing. This whisky has been fully matured in ex-Bordeaux casks. Bottling at a cask strength of 56.8% ABV has truly allowed the character of the whisky to shine through, creating intense and rich flavours. Like all Ledaig whiskies, this release is non-chill filtered and naturally coloured.

Nose: Well it’s strait into it with a bitumen-ey, kerosene-y – almost jet fuel-ey front to the nose. Salty-iodiney notes there as well back that front row up as well. But delving deeper there’s an underlying sweet note that begs further investigation… and then a distinctly floral bouquet leaps out as well. So much going on here!

Palate: Oh – it’s a gloriously oily, mouth-coating peated island whisky alright – that is immediately apparent! The peat presents more burning rubber than bitumen on the palate. There’s a super- jammy tart-sweetness that comes squeezing through cracks between those lovely peaty notes.

Finish: Just sit and let those lovely campfire notes swirl around the sweet minced fruit. There’s a saltiness as well on the finish that that is hidden on the palate. GORGEOUS!!

Wow – this is big Scottish peat from the very get-go. You just know it’s got half a mind tae gie ye a richt guid skelp on the jaw and a boot tae the backside! But, like most gruff Scots – it’s really all bluff and bluster and means ye ne harm. It’s got everything a true peat freak looks for in a whisky – kerosene, bitumen and campfire smoke plus a healthy dollop of fruity num-nums to boot!

The latest Limited Edition release from Ledaig has been fully matured in red wine casks and bottled at cask strength. The resulting dram is bursting with flavour – heather and pine cones with woody sea salt and floral notes on the finish.

Our new limited edition Ledaig will transport you straight to the Isle of Mull. The perfect balance of woody sea salt, floral heather and smoke. Bottled at cask strength to created and intensely flavourful dram

Nose: Smoked fudge, eucalyptus oil and carbolic soap.
Palate: Burning heather and pine cones. Grape skins and melons, wood smoked meats.
Finish: As the smoke drifts, some floral notes develop and finally lime pastilles.

Sitting in the centre of vibrant Tobermory, Tobermory is an expressive and unique Hebridean distiller. Tobermory is one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland and has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. Originally founded in 1798 under the name Ledaig Distillery, it has changed ownership and undergone several renovations throughout its long history.

The distillery produces two distinct brands of whisky: Tobermory, which is unpeated, and Ledaig, which is a heavily peated single malt. The production of these two different styles of whisky allows the distillery to cater to a variety of tastes.

Tobermory whiskies are known for their smooth and fruity character, while Ledaig whiskies are appreciated for their smoky, peaty flavours. The distillery sources its water from a private water supply on the Mishnish Lochs, contributing to the unique character of its whiskies.