Ledaig 12yo, 2007-2020, Signatory Vintage Cuvée No. 1

ABV

60.5%

 

Region

Highlands (Isle of Mull)

 

Bottling

Signatory Vintage (together with Kirsch Import for the German market)
 

Cask type

Refill Spanish Butts, Finish in Refill Port Hogshead for 34 Months (566 btl.)


Nose

First smoke on the nose, followed by a malty sweetness, grilled apricots and a dash of citrus. Burnt wood with ginger spiciness, vanilla and a fresh. slightly maritime breeze. The high alcohol content is always present, but not pungent.

Palate

Bold attack on the palate. With over 60% alcohol, it was not to be expected otherwise. But pleasantly sweet with creamy vanilla and malted barley, accompanied by apricot jam. At the same time strongly warming with black pepper, ginger spice and a touch of oak, all wrapped in discreet peat smoke and coal ash.

Finish

The finish is long lasting and warming with creamy apricot jam, some vanilla, increasing more smoke, ash and dry oak.


With water

After adding some drops of water, the sweet and fruity notes are pushed into the background and smoke, ashes as well as soot take over. On the palate creamy with vanilla, apricot and burnt caramel, with a slightly warming spiciness of pepper and cloves. Only a little smoke is noticeable. The finish is slightly shorter with dry notes of ash, ginger, allspice, and smoke.

Comments

An intense Ledaig with a beautiful fruit sweetness balanced with a warming spiciness, all wrapped in smoke and ash/soot notes. The influence of the port wine cask for the finishing is quite restrained. All in all a strong and warming dram for a cold winter evening.

 

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and the photograph!