Ledaig 16 yo 1997 Old Particular Douglas Laing #10034 vs Ledaig Batch 1 That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Ledaig also has a storied and chequered past if anyone is interested in finding out more. And that’s not nearly enough anyones, because this is a fine whisky and an excellent foil to the heavily peated three of south Islay. We seem to see quite a number of late 90s, particularly 97s, but it is the younger stuff from this side of the 2000s that have been very good!
These are properly called Tobermory’s stills, because Ledaig is peated Tobermory.
Ledaig 16 yo 1997 Old Particular Douglas Laing #10034 48.4%
Nose: Such a familiar profile, it is impossible to not think ‘Islay!’ Yet where would it sit if one were to plot it against the Triumvirate? Not as dirty as Lagavulin, not medicinal as Laphroaig, I suppose it would be closest to Ardbeg. But where Ardbeg nowadays seems to be very ashy-smoky-peat forward, this Ledaig seems to lean towards an earthier peat, so somewhat buttery, muddy, rooty, even some cod deep fried in tar oil. Sure its got some dirty brine and dried out sea shells, but more composting vegetation than salt and wind. No doubt I do like this profile anyway.
Palate: Big peat, way up there.Now it’s glowing embers and billowing ash. Some indistinct sweet and sour notes .. and also faintly vinegary, like a spoiled orange that was juiced in with the good ones anyway. Still ashy and salty all around. Some slightly rancid butter maybe. Quite some wood too.I like this less now I think.
Finish: Quite long peaty and salty, but hints of oak tannins begin to show.
Nice nose though.
Ledaig Batch 1 That Boutique-y Whisky Company 57.1%
Nose: I think this MIGHT be a 2000s + distillation because it’s quite different, it shares more with other younger Ledaigs we’ve had than 97s. Much closer to a coastal Islay. Lemon and salt concentrate. Squeaky clean and pristine instead of earthy and buttery. Simple but a huge cutting style. The coastal-puffer smoke-peat fire complex is there but is a supporting frame for this excellent malt. Salty nets and sea soaked wool jackets. In fact, much like a certain 8 year old 2001 that is MUCH lauded. Not really malty, and NOT feinty at all. Well done.
Palate: Brilliant. Huge and lemony-sweet, yet salty and cuttingly sharp plus minerals, ash, wet hemp. Clean saltwater. If anything it is a tad simple, but hey it’s good-simple not bad-simple.
Finish: Not the longest but lemony sharp and ashy-salty again.
Youth and simplicity held it back, but it’s really excellent young stuff.
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