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.