Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Tobermory Ledaig.
Bottler: Scottish Liqueur Centre.
Region: Scotland/Island Single Malt.
ABV: 59.1%.
Age: 12 Years. Distilled in March 1992. Bottled in April 2004.
Cask type: Oak.
Nose: Roasted grains and maritime brine, swimming pool chemicals, metallic, machine grease, dunnage and musty, subtle pears.
Palate: Medium-bodied with punchy camphor and brine, machine grease and dirty garage, metallic, raw oysters, citrus, garden clippers, touch of mint and almost cream toward the end.
Finish: Long and lingering with cracked pepper, garden gloves, and herbs.
Mental Image: Snack Buffet in the Pool Pump Room
Conclusion: A touch raw and unrefined, punchy at first, but mellower with time after two decades in the bottle. I love the wild and unexpected whiskies produced during the early 90s at Ledaig. Prior to 1996, and a clear differentiation between the production regimes and lines of Tobermory and Ledaig, there were some fascinating variations that were tried, or somehow survived. This bottle dates from the brief operational period from 1989 to 1993 before Burns Stewart bought the distillery and renamed it Tobermory. Unlike the transitional years from 1993 to 1995, or the earlier brief reopening of the distillery from 1972-1975, which have cult status among some whisky drinkers, I had never heard anyone mention or say much about this era— it is about as unloved and anonymous as the brief early 80s period.
This was a delight— an inexpensive auction win that provided a window into a fascinating period in the distillery’s history. Several friends I shared it with thought it had something in common with some of the funkier qualities of Fettercairn and rated it highly.
Final Score: 86.
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.
Malt Runners 