Whisky: Ledaig 10 Year

Country/Region: Scotland/Islands

ABV: 46.3%

Cask: Oak

Age: 10 Years

Nose: Maritime and industrial, salt, rust, and tar; hints of a creamier character with smoked cheese, camphor, and burning herbs, subtle mineral-sea shell quality, hints of orange rind.

Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced mouthfeel, a touch oily and buttery, maritime brine, citrus rind, orange, burning sage and medicinal herbs, heather, black pepper, coastal bonfire with slightly acrid hints of tar.

Finish: Medium-length with brine, charred driftwood, and herbs.

Score: 5 (74)

Mental Image: Seaside Olive Pitting Factory

Narrative & Notes: It has been a while since I have revisited the classic Ledaig 10— so it felt like it was time to return once again. I found this to be a touch more acrid and less funky than I remembered; blind I might have thought this was a peated Bunnahabhain.  Flavors can drift between batches and our memories can play tricks on us, but this was still perfectly enjoyable, even if it felt a bit different.

The Ledaig 10 is one of my mainstays when I am at a bar with a decent, but not crazy, whisky selection (or maybe dubious pricing), and I really want a whisky.  Typically, in that scenario, I go with wine or beer, but when you want a whisky, the Ledaig 10 scratches that peaty-itch with a more balanced mouthfeel and presentation of flavors than some equivalent malts. While I would rarely offer this as an introduction to peat for someone new to the category, it is an ideal stop once one starts exploring.