Whisky: Ledaig 13 Year SMWS 42.52 “Wood smoke through a porthole”

Country/Region: Scotland/Island

ABV: 58.3%

Cask: Refill Bourbon Hogshead

Age: 13 Year (Distilled 29 March 2007)

Nose: Maritime, citrus, and spice.  Maritime notes of tarred ropes, waxed canvas, salty waves, and hints of instant lemonade powder.  Impressions of a wooden steamship cruising between the Tuamotu archipelago— turquoise water, salt, and oysters.  Hints of white pepper and charred driftwood.

Palate: Maritime, wood, and sugar. Smoked seaweed, wood ships, and saltwater mixed with sugary notes of donuts and freshly torched lemon meringue pie. Further in were notes of driftwood, bonfires, and charcoal dust.

Finish: Lingering elements of coal and salt-crusted driftwood.

Score: 6

Mental Image: Archipelagic Steamer

Notes: A classic and uncomplicated Ledaig with loads of maritime and coal smoke notes— so much so that I would have pinned this as a Highland Park had I tasted it blind. The palate was awash in delicious notions of maritime memories and sugary desserts— fruity meringue pie in particular— which contrasted the oceanic notes nicely. I did miss some of the funky cheese I usually find on Ledaig, and I wish the citrus were a tad more tart than sugary.

Overall, this was perfect for people who find Ledaig a little too funky and wish it was a bit more like a heavily peated Highland Park. After a long drought, I got a bit over-excited at seeing an SMWS Ledaig and picked up this bottle.