Review by: The Muskox

This r/Scotch pick dates from before my time on this sub, if you can believe that.

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Distillery: Tobermory.

Bottler: The Whisky Exchange.

Region: Islands.

ABV: 59.2%. Cask strength.

Age: 7 years. Bottled in 2014.

Cask type: Sherry cask.

Price: N/A, sample.

Color: Amber, orange-ish. Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Sweet and briny. Fresh orange, strawberry, gooseberry, and white cherries. Olive brine, capers, smoked whitefish. White chocolate, coconut, buttery shortbread. Asphalt, pine tar, fennel, and muddy hay. Strong fragrant notes of lavender and eucalyptus float over everything.

Palate: Medium texture. Arrives with tart grapefruit, orange, burning hay, sea salt, and washed-rind cheese. Strong mineral character – limestone and chalk. Very sooty on the development. Creosote, deep earth, charcoal-grilled shrimp, mortadella, green bell pepper, and flamed cedar planks. Lots of black pepper and bitter-earthy wood on the back end.

Finish: Medium-length, slightly austere. Charred and mineral. Pickled ginger, burnt onions, sauteed mushrooms, and more eucalyptus. Dry earthiness and leather.

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Possible SMWS bottling name: “Hard water kayak excursion”

Conclusion: This is tasty and interesting, though not quite one of my favourite Ledaigs. I love the complex and fragrant nose with that floral character – not something I usually get with Ledaig. The palate and finish verge towards overly-charred for me. If you’re a big Ledaig nut, you’ll probably enjoy this a bit more than I did.

Final Score: 84.

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.