Review by: Raygun

This was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for the Broken Barrel Club. I don’t know a thing about them, but a group who picks a cask of Ledaig is all right in my book. Islay gets most of the attention, but Ledaig is about the most consistent peated whisky out there in my opinion. Rested about 15 minutes. Initial notes from fully blind tasting, with additions after the reveal in italics. Sample and pic courtesy of Whiskery Turnip. 

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Distillery: Tobermory (Ledaig) 

Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail for Broken Barrel Club 

Region/style: Islands single malt whisky

ABV: 54.5% 

Age: 16 years. Distilled in 2004 and bottled on February 23, 2021. 

Cask type: Refill bourbon barrel  

Color: 0.6 old gold. Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Peated for sure. Not getting Laphroaig or Ardbeg vibes. Graham crackers, some smoldering forest, smoked caramel. There’s a bready aspect. *I missed the coastal briny aspect when I first tried it, but it’s very evident coming back to it.*   

Palate: Nose had me thinking Port Charlotte, but tastes more like Ledaig. Definite briny flavor. Grilled shrimp, salted caramel, wood char. There’s another sweet element here that I can’t quite identify. Digestive biscuits, maybe. *The graham crackers from the nose? Brown sugar. Some lemon zest.* 

Finish: Smoky, of course. Wood influence is more apparent; might be older than I first thought. Grilled shrimp, vanilla, and some earth. A little spice here, like cinnamon buns. *More brown sugar, brûléed. Sweet works well with the smoke.*  

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Guess: Peated, and almost surely a bourbon cask. Still think Ledaig is a definite possibility, but I find myself leaning Port Charlotte. Probably an IB if it is a bourbon cask. There’s something else going on with it and I could see a mixed maturation. Around 12-14 years, mid or upper 50s ABV.   

Conclusion: Another very solid Ledaig. No frills here, and none needed. Lets the distillate do most of the talking, and it’s got plenty to say. Ledaig is just so solid, and so versatile. Good in bourbon casks, wine casks, rum casks…though I have to admit I have a soft spot for these bourbon casks. 

Post-reveal thoughts: I was so close. Thought it was Ledaig, but second-guessed myself. Should have gone with that. Still did pretty well. Underestimated age by a little, but overall I got fairly close.  
Buy a bottle? No idea where I’d find one, but I’d take a bottle.

Score: 81

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)