The sixth of six samples offered at the June 2023 outturn event of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), at the Jack Rose Saloon in Washington DC. This was a 13 year ex-bourbon Ledaig (peated Tobermory), bottled at 58.3% ABV.
The nose evoked eating Frazzles on the beach with distant bonfire smoke – until the tide washed the bonfire away. On the palate, that smoke was joined by sweet heat (chilli langoustines), birch sap, cinders and a mineral lick of salt and pumice. The reduced nose seemed like a cocktail of ash and brine, with a hint of oily mackerel eaten from old newspapers next to a burning oil drum (contents of which included Abroath Smokie’s tails and strings and branches of sea buckthorn). The palate turned sweeter; we identified rhubarb crumble with cinnamon and raisins and a slightly burnt pecan pie.
A nice description! I won't delay - here are my notes:
Nose: Outstanding - complex and lively nose on this one: peat, salt, lime, herbs, soy sauce, old old ham, more lime. Very fragrant and muscular.
Mouthfeel: Thick and chewy.
Palate: Peat, iodine, salt, lime (margaritas!), ocean stone, more herbs at the tail end. One of my tablemates said "wild boar prosciutto" and another said "salt-rimmed margaritas on the rocks."
Finish: Very long. Coal, salt, wood, orange blossom (!), lime.
Verdict: A huge hit with every peat lover in the crowd, and appreciated even by those who found the peat and medicinal qualities bracing. A lovely Ledaig, showcasing all the best qualities. Highly recommended if you like aggressively stated peat.
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