Review by: Raygun

The story here is that some young grain whisky was accidentally added to a batch of 18-year-old single malt at a bottling plant. Presumably the name is a hint that it was about 1%. Nevertheless, rules are rules, and the resulting mixture could not be sold as single malt or an 18-year-old whisky. So it became an NAS blend, even if it’s mostly Ledaig (they’re coy about that, but the hints are clear). Sold at a relative bargain, too, especially compared to the actual Ledaig 18. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.

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Distillery: Ledaig and ?

Bottler: Living Souls  

Region/style: Blended Scotch

ABV: 46.3%

Age: Not stated, but mostly 18 years old. Released in 2024.     

Cask type: Bourbon and sherry, I’d say heavy on the sherry

Color: 1.6 mahogany. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Sure smells like Ledaig. Briny and peaty, with hints of rotting vegetation. Prunes, tobacco, anise, and tamarind paste. Looked pretty sherried and smells like it, too. Nice woodiness. Aromas of a spice and tea shop.                

Palate: Yes, heavily sherried, but since I usually prefer Ledaig in sherry I’m not complaining at all. Salty and somewhat nutty. Reasonably close to a Fino or Manzanilla cask, in fact, yet I suspect still Oloroso. Tobacco, Chinese sour plum, tamarind chutney, ginger, and a hefty dose of coastal smoky peat. Very in your face even at 46%.   

Finish: It’s a spicy number. Ginger, pepper, anise, and some cumin. More sour plum and tamarind, and all the ashy peat one could want. Slight oaky bitterness, like black tea that was overbrewed a touch. 

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Conclusion: I’m impressed. On paper it’s pretty similar to the OB Ledaig 18: mostly 18 years old and partially (or mostly) sherry maturation. Yet I think it’s even better, from what I remember. I’d call it a little too heavy on the sherry for my preference, but no denying it’s very good. Ledaig is some of my favorite peated Scotch, and this is a strong example. A great deal at the original price, too. I haven’t had anything else from Living Souls yet, but I’ll have to try to do something about that.

Score: 83

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)