Whisky: Ledaig 18 Year (Batch No. 2)

Country/Region: Scotland/Islands

ABV: 46.3%

Cask: Sherry Spanish Oak Finish

Age: 18 Years (Bottled 2015)

Nose: Acrid smoke, meat, and tobacco.  An initial wave of herbal tobacco and cigar box retreated in the face of an acrid smoke and old bicycle tires.  Barbecued pork butt at a stock car rally as meaty, rubbery notes assaulted the senses.  The aroma of rubber erasures and bacon mixed with pine sol; a friend compared it to the smell of an old elementary school rubber door jam.

Palate: Medium-bodied, though on the lighter end, with bike rubber tire, wood, and coffee.  An acrid smoke settled on the palate— my wife insisted it was burning bicycle tires and a few other attendees at the tasting also found it on the rubbery side.  Beyond the acrid introduction were hints of butterscotch, salted caramel, pinewood, and tobacco.  Sweet candied coffee beans and chicory stood out on the backend.

Finish: Lingering notes of dried fruit and rubber.

Score: 5

Mental Image: Limited Edition Starbucks Eraser

Notes: A dirty malty from one of my favorite distilleries. This special edition Ledaig was voted the least favorite at a recent local “mystery peat” whisky tasting. It was up against some stiff competition— a lightly peated Amrut, a twenty-year distillery exclusive Bowmore, and the twenty-five-year Peat’s Beast. Those three had at least a couple of votes for best of the evening (the Peat’s Beast nudged it out in the end), while the poor Ledaig was last on almost every ballot. It was the only dram for which someone correctly identified the distillery. Perhaps not surprising as it had a fair bit of the dirty industrial and slightly acrid smoke one might find on a somewhat older Ledaig

While I enjoy a funky Ledaig, I prefer a more maritime or cheese cave funk than the rubber that came through on this one. Those notes were a bit softer when I returned to try the dram a month later, but they were still center stage throughout much of the flavor profile. A few drops of water left the mouthfeel feeling thin and the flavors more muted, so sadly, nothing seemed to get the dram to a place where I enjoyed it

Overall, not bad, but it is worth pointing out that I tend to prefer younger and punchier Ledaig. There have been a few older ones I enjoyed, but for the most part, my scores have trended lower for more mature drams. I am curious to try some of the other 18-year batches. While this batch from 2015 was not my favorite, I wonder if something without a wine finish would suit my preferences more.