Ledaig 8 Year, Scotch Universe Pegasus VI
Whisky : Ledaig 8 Year, Scotch Universe Pegasus VI
Country/Region : Scotland/Islands
ABV : 56.8%
Cask : First Fill Port
Age : 8 Years (Distilled 2011, Bottled 2020)
Nose : Creamy, salty, and funky. The nose ranged from soil to sea with impressions of a wooden cheeseboard, soft creamy cheese, and earthy dehydrated mushrooms. The creamy-earthiness brought to mind mushroom risotto, while slightly funk notes recalled an old shoe, though the wife insisted it was more like earthy soggy loam.
Palate : Medium bodied and oily with notes of earth, tractor oil, and funk. A surprisingly earthy profile with notes of mushrooms, mangrove trees, compost, and distant campfires. The wife reckoned it was hearty and the earthy notes reminded her of a rich stew or, as creamier notes came into focus, cream of mushroom soup. Creamy funky notes brought to mind baked parmesan, caramelized yams, and wood ear mushrooms. A sweet note of cola came right at the end and water brought it forward even more.
Finish : Lingering earthy char and caramelized yams.
Score : 7
Mental Image : Hot Yams & Earthen Ovens
Notes : This was by far the earthiest Ledaig I have ever tried. I doubt I would have guessed this was Ledaig had I tasted it blind, I probably would have through it was Ballechin or Port Charlotte— something with a slightly funky or earthy peat. This was really quite tasty and it was much better than I expected. I was not a huge fan of the prior Port finished Ledaig I tried and I think part of the reason I enjoyed this was that it seemed to have a relatively restrained cask influence in terms of sugars or fruits. I suspect the cask also had something to do with how earthy this came off and, while I really enjoyed that element of it, I think some might find it a bit weird, I could even see some of those earthy notes coming off as slightly sulfurous depending on one’s palate.
Overall, this was a delightfully unique Ledaig. It was young and spirited, but it had a fascinating flavor profile that really grabbed my attention. Scotch Universe continues to impress in my book.
