Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Powerful start on the nose with peat smoke, malted barley and honey. This is accompanied by dark fruit notes, raspberries and blackcurrants. Slightly peppery with honey-glazed hickory ham and some hospital kind of smell.
Palate: Sweet and at the same time dry, almost astringent on the palate. At the same time warming and intense with malt sugar, honey and vanilla, plus peat smoke, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and black pepper. Sweet notes of honey with some red berries linger towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long lasting, warming and mouth filling with sweet notes of forest honey, malted barley, ginger and oak spice.
With water: After the addition of water, the nose tends to detect paler fruits such as peaches and apples. With it peat smoke, allspice and spicy oak. Very dry and astringent on the palate with warming ginger, pepper, allspice and peat smoke. This is followed by some honey sweetness and malt sugar. The finish is still long, warming and becomes slightly creamier with honey and vanilla.
Comments: Of the Ledaig Cuvée bottlings 1 to 6 I liked this one best. Despite powerful peat smoke and warming spices, a wonderful sweetness of honey and fruits is always present as a counterpart. Ideal for the coming cold days.

 

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Sweet scent on the nose of honey and vanilla, paired with notes of smoked ham, anise, white pepper and some cloves. Behind this, light fruits emerge, especially apricot. Subtle smoke always resonates. The alcohol is well integrated and not pungent.
Palate: An intense start on the palate with sweet vanilla and pale fruit, immediately followed by a strong warming spiciness with pepper and chili peppers. As soon as this warmth fades, creamy notes of honey and yellow fruit jam appear. Smoke floats discreetly above everything.
Finish: The finish is long and creamy, becoming increasingly dry with smoke, ash, some oak, slightly bitter walnut aromas and an earthy note.
With water: After the addition of water much more present and intense on the nose with noticeable alcohol. The smoke is pushed into the background, leaving room for vanilla, honey and more yellow fruit aromas. Sweet and prickling on the palate with a slight pepperiness. Much less warming, but more creamy vanilla, apricot fruit, ginger and a touch of smoke with some smoked ham. The finish is still long and pleasantly warming with creamy vanilla and honey, becoming drier with time and showing notes of smoke, ash and cloves.
Comments: A pleasant combination of sweetness, yellow fruit and warming spices. The influence of Madeira is subtle. A beautiful winter warmer.

 

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

Colour: Gold.
Nose: Sweet notes on the nose with vanilla, apricot and red berries, accompanied by malted barley and campfire smoke. Very harmonious and pleasing. The high alcohol content is always present, but not pungent.
Palate: First sweet on the palate with vanilla and barley sugar, then very warming with an alcoholic spiciness, pepper and even chilis, accompanied by astringent tannins from the wine cask. As soon as the heat fades, creamy vanilla and apricot jam with sweet red grapes appear, followed by slightly bitter notes of grape skin and seeds. The whole is subtly wrapped in fine peat smoke.
Finish: The finish is long lasting, warming and creamy with vanilla. Then becomes drier with oak, some allspice and slightly bitter grape skins. Some smoke and ash notes towards the end.
With water: After the addition of water, the nose is much more peppery with slightly floral notes and wood fire smoke. Behind this, red grapes and winy notes emerge. Sweet and only slightly warming on the palate, but very tingling on the tongue with pepper and dry notes of tannins. A little vanilla, followed by ash and smoke. The finish is still long and slightly warming, becoming increasingly dry with grape skin, bitter grape seeds, smoke and ashes.
Comments: A powerful, vanilla-sweet and at the same time spicy-smoky Ledaig. In my opinion, the influence of the Bordeaux wine cask is more noticeable here than in the Cuvée bottling No 2. The grape notes are particularly well expressed on the palate. By adding water the sweetness is lost and more dryness emerges.

 

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Sweet on the nose with vanilla and dark fruit, strawberry and red currant. In addition, slightly burnt malted barley as well as subtle smoke. The high alcohol content is not pungent.
Palate: There is an unexpected amount of sweetness on the palate with creamy vanilla, barley sugar and fruity strawberries. Then increasingly warming and powerful with an alcoholic spiciness, black pepper, ash notes and allspice, all wrapped in fine wood smoke.
Finish: The finish is long lasting and warming with slightly bitter grape notes. Becomes increasingly dry with smoke, slightly earthy notes and oak spice.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, both the creamy sweetness and the fruity notes fade into the background and smoke remains. However, the vanilla sweetness is still noticeable on the palate with light fruity notes of strawberry and red currant. This is accompanied by burnt caramel and some pepper spice. Overall only slightly warming. The finish is somewhat shorter with a touch of creamy vanilla and fine smoke.
Comments: This young Ledaig convinces with its surprising sweetness, which unfolds both on the nose and the palate. The fruity and somewhat earthy notes from the Burgundy cask are discreetly noticeable and, together with the sweetness, withstand the strong alcoholic bite and oak spice. Despite its high alcohol content, this convincing Ledaig does not need water.

 

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Discreet smoke at the beginning, burnt wood with vanilla sweetness and some malted barley. Then fruity notes of citrus and grilled apricot mixed with a touch of red currant, and a hint of peat in the background. The high alcohol content is always present, but not pungent.
Palate: Very strong and intensely warming on the palate. Peppery, even some chili on the tongue. After the warmth fades, a dry sweetness of red currants and apricot jam emerges, followed by ginger spice, nutmeg and some oak. The whole is wrapped in fine peat smoke.
Finish: The finish is long lasting and warming, with some malty sweetness, smoke, ashes and cloves.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, the nose becomes much sharper with intense smoke and charcoal, followed by vanilla and sweet malted barley. The fruity notes are no longer noticeable. Clearly more tamed on the palate, but strongly prickling on the tongue. Smoke, dry oak, cloves and some ashes dominate. No sweetness or fruitiness noticeable. The finish is still long and somewhat warming with fine smoke, oak, nutmeg and cloves. At the very end a little sweet vanilla and barley sugar.
Comments: An extremely powerful and sometimes impetuous Ledaig. Strong smoky notes and spices, which are hardly kept in check by a subtle sweetness. The influence of the refill Sherry and Bordeaux casks can be recognized on the nose at best. The addition of water makes the subtle fruity notes disappear.

 

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

Colour: Gold.
Nose: First smoke on the nose, followed by a malty sweetness, grilled apricots and a dash of citrus. Burnt wood with ginger spiciness, vanilla and a fresh. slightly maritime breeze. The high alcohol content is always present, but not pungent.
Palate: Bold attack on the palate. With over 60% alcohol, it was not to be expected otherwise. But pleasantly sweet with creamy vanilla and malted barley, accompanied by apricot jam. At the same time strongly warming with black pepper, ginger spice and a touch of oak, all wrapped in discreet peat smoke and coal ash.
Finish: The finish is long lasting and warming with creamy apricot jam, some vanilla, increasing more smoke, ash and dry oak.
With water: After adding some drops of water, the sweet and fruity notes are pushed into the background and smoke, ashes as well as soot take over. On the palate creamy with vanilla, apricot and burnt caramel, with a slightly warming spiciness of pepper and cloves. Only a little smoke is noticeable. The finish is slightly shorter with dry notes of ash, ginger, allspice, and smoke.
Comments: An intense Ledaig with a beautiful fruit sweetness balanced with a warming spiciness, all wrapped in smoke and ash/soot notes. The influence of the port wine cask for the finishing is quite restrained. All in all a strong and warming dram for a cold winter evening.

 

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

Colour: Gold.
Nose: Peat immediately rises to the nose with typical notes of phenols. Fresh and powerful with soot and smoked bacon. Then sweet vanilla cream appears with fruity notes of plums and some figs, followed by a hint of salt in the background. Overall, the sherry cask influence is very subtle. The high alcohol content is noticeable but not pungent.
Palate: On the palate first a nice sweetness of vanilla, apricot and malt sugar. Then strongly warming and spicy with black pepper, almost chili, and dry oak. Creamy notes of plum compote emerge, accompanied by peat and ash. Overall oily and still sweet.
Finish: The finish is long-lasting, creamy and warming, characterised by ash, peat smoke, oak, nutmeg, cloves and subtle dark chocolate.
With water: After adding water, the nose becomes more intense and prickling, with significantly more peaty notes, smoked bacon, even a hint of cowshed aroma. The sweetness is somewhat pushed into the background. At first sweet on the palate, but then a chili-like pungency takes over. Strongly spicy and warming, accompanied by dry oak, nutmeg and allspice. Only later do sweet and fruity aromas of malt sugar, vanilla and plum appear. The finish is still long, slightly sweet with plum, very oily and warming with a touch of peat.

Comments: This fourth bottling from the series "The War of the Peat" lives up to its name. An intense, rich, spicy and peaty Ledaig, which also knows how to skilfully show off its sweet and fruity sides. Fans of bold sherry cask whiskies will not get their money's worth here, as the influence of the Spanish liqueur wine is very subtle here. But that does not have to be a disadvantage.

 

I thank whic (Whiskycircle) for the complimentary sample and the image!

Colour: Dark amber.
Nose: Starts with aromas of smoked bacon and leather, combined with a wonderful sherry sweetness, dark fruit and smoke. In the background cold, burnt wood and hints of oak spice. Great nose, it is fun to sniff it for a long time.
Palate: Full-bodied and voluminous on the palate! Wonderfully sweet with sherry and dark fruit, accompanied by fine smoke. A kind of greasy with roasted aromas, spicy acacia honey and a slightly phenolic note. Pleasantly warming.
Finish: The finish is long, warming and oily with some mint, fine smoke, bacon and sooty chimney air towards the end.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, the nose becomes slightly fresher with menthol, fine smoke and a distinct sherry sweetness. On the palate, however, the dram is less sweet, but more spicy with smoke, oak and some phenols, followed by subtle sweet caramel. The finish remains long with warming spices, smoke and spicy honey.
Comments: A wonderful Ledaig from a PX Sherry Butt. The smoky and spicy character of the Islander combines wonderfully with the sweet sherry aromas to a warming symphony of flavours. Sweet, spicy and smoky - this is the perfect way to enjoy the evening.

Colour: Yellow gold.
Nose: Phenols to begin with, followed by a tarry note, tender cold smoke and malted barley. Slightly sweet with a delicate fruity touch of lemons and apricots. Hints of oak spice, ginger and cloves in the back. The high alcohol content is always present but not yet pungent.
Palate: Oh yes, this is very bold on the palate! Initially, there is a delicate sweetness of vanilla, barley sugar and a hint of honey. Then the alcohol hits your taste buds with full power: very warming and intense with a spiciness of oak, caramelised ginger, white pepper and cloves. Once the warmth fades (which can take up to a few minutes), notes of apricots and salted toffee are coming through, all wrapped in discreet peat smoke and coal ash.
Finish: The finish is long, warm and dry with subtle barley sugar, cloves, pepper and hints of ozone.
With water: A big splash of water tames the alcoholic bite significantly while more fresh sea air and phenols are coming through, followed by ozone and malted barley in the back. Sweet and prickling on the palate with apricots and a spicy note of pepper, nutmeg and cloves. The alcohol and the resulting warmth are very well tamed. Sweet vanilla with peat smoke and ozone towards the finish. The finish is a bit shorter and very dry with cloves, oak, peat smoke, ash and a creamy touch of vanilla.
Comments: A real beast with over 65% abv, for which you should be prepared. A typical Ledaig, which is not quite as phenolic, tarry and with coastal flavours. Surprising and very pleasant are the sweet and fruity notes, which appear in the nose and first also on the palate, before the alcohol strikes mercilessly. But not unpleasant! A really tasty dram, which - after the "shock" of the first sip - very pleases and is well drinkable neat.

I thank Henning Mahler from Have-A-Taste for the complimentary sample!

Colour: Straw.
Nose: Fruity on the nose with delicate red wine aroma, beautifully mixed with peat smoke and a touch of ash. Notes of creamy vanilla and caramel arrive nicely wrapped in sweet smoke, wine grapes and an appealing mix of spices - coriander, juniper and white pepper. A hint of maritime  notes with a touch of tobacco leaves in the background.
Palate: Bold and intense on the palate with peat smoke, vanilla sweetness, malty notes and honey. This is accompanied by a warming spiciness of black pepper, ginger and nutmeg. Lingering red grapes mixed with a hint of fresh lemon and dry notes of oak and allspice towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long, pleasantly warming and sweet with honey, grapes and fudge. Again slightly smoky with a hint of salt and a whiff of bitter dry oak on the tail.
With water: There's almost no change on the nose when a splash of water is added. The delicate sweetness and smokiness both remain stable. On the palate, however, the sweet and fruity notes are almost tamed while spicy flavours - pepper, allspice and cloves - take over along with earthy peat. The finish is still long, warm and creamy with malty notes, dry oak and a hint of red grapes.
Comments: Although the finish was done in a French Bordeaux wine cask, the distillery character of Ledaig is unmistakable. Smoke and peat, wonderfully paired with a creamy vanilla sweetness and fruity wine aromas. Aromatic in the nose, intense and very strong on the palate. Nevertheless, this pleasantly complex and not too young Ledaig is perfect to be enjoyed neat. Something for the cold evenings in front of a logfire.

 

I thank Die Whiskybotschaft for the photograph!

Colour: Pale amber.
Nose: There's instantly smoke on the nose with a delicate sweetness of dried fruit - cherries and plums in particular. This is accompanied by smoked ham, maritime and slightly medicinal notes, followed by a hint of tobacco leaves in the back.
Palate: Bold and intense on the palate with smoke and medicinal flavours at first. Warming alcohol, nicely mixed with black pepper. Then the creamy fruitiness arrives with plums and cherries, along with vanilla and some more red fruits. Lingering notes of cloves, nutmeg and allspice towards the finish, all wrapped in delicate smoke.
Finish: The finish is long, warm and slightly sweet with subtle black pepper, burnt caramel and dry oak on the tail. Nicely mouth-coating.
With water: Water tames the sweetness and delicate fruity flavours bringing more peat smoke and medicinal flavours to the fore. There's also more medicinal notes on the palate with iodine and gauze bandage. Less sweet but more dry oak towards the finish. The finish is still long, spicy and warming with subtle fruity flavours and dry peat smoke on the tail.
Comments: Although having been matured in a first fill sherry butt for 11 years, this Ledaig is instantly recognisable. Delicate smoky character with spicy elements and a pleasantly balancing sweetness, along with delicate fruity components. Perfect to enjoy neat. No water please as this islander becomes very dry and smoky.

 

I thank Kirsch Whisky - The House of Whiskies for the sample and the photograph!

Colour: White wine.
Nose: The nose starts off with a deep peatiness, followed by gauze bandage, rubber and some herbal/grainy notes. Behind that fruity flavours of green apples, lemons and peaches arrive, nicely lingering with hints of walnuts, seaweed and tender spiced oak in the back.
Palate: Clean and fresh on the palate! Deliciously sweet and fruity with apricots and stewed green apples, immediately followed by an intensely warming spiciness of pepper, crystallised ginger, cloves and a lovely peat fire. Herbal notes, hints of sea salt and smoke towards the finish.
Finish: The finish shows good length with a slightly warming spiciness, complemented by creamy fruit, barley sugar, crisp peat, seaweed and a hint of smoke on the tail.
With water: Water significantly tames the fruitiness and sweetness, bringing more phenols, ashy and maritime flavours to the fore. On the palate, however, the lovely aroma of peaches and lemons is still very present, well balanced with ginger, spiced oak, cloves, peat and subtle seaweed. The finish is medium long, warm and spicy with creamy vanilla, acacia honey, oak and ginger. Subtle peat smoke on the tail.
Comments: A full-bodied and lovely peaty dram with a delicate filigree orchard fruitiness. Well-balanced with oak spice, tangy sweetness, lingering smokiness and a maritime edge. Typical Ledaig, instantly recognisable. Would recommed to add a few drops of water as the lovely fruitiness develops nicely at least on my palate.

 

I thank Kirsch Whisky Import for the sample and the photograph!

Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Instantly fresh sea air with maritime notes and peat smoke on the nose, supported by medicinal flavours and a whiff of ozone. Lingering malty sweetness and a touch of banana bread underneath. Vigorous but pleasant.
Palate: Delicate sweetness of malted barley pleasantly mixed with fruity elements of apricots and orange peel. This is complemented by a warming spiciness of oak, white pepper, cloves, nutmeg and allspice. Becomes creamy on the palate with honey, caramel, and oatcakes, all deliciously covered by lingering peat smoke.
Finish: The finish is long, sweet and very creamy with cereal, a slightly fruity sweetness and warming peat smoke. Nicely mouth-coating.
With water: Water tames the intensity of the maritime flavours on the nose significantly bringing citric notes and yellow fruits to the fore. Sweet and deliciously fruity on the palate with a slightly tamed but still pleasantly warming spiciness. The finish is long, sweet and creamy with a lingering peat note on the tail.
Comments: Although having been matured in a first fill sherry butt for 10 years, the distillery character here is unmistakable! There are just enough other elements to balance. Very satisfying with a pleasant balancing sweetness and fruity components. Perfect to enjoy neat. A lovely example of an island whisky from Scotland.

I thank Kirsch Whisky - The House of Whiskies for the sample and the photograph!

Colour: Pale straw.
Nose: There's immediately smoke and peat along with a bit of alcohol and bitumen. Behind that, gentle citrus arrives with a hint of toffee and barley. Vigorous but delicate and pleasant on the nose.
Palate: A short but intense kick of sweetness, barley sugar and subtle yellow plums, before a huge load of spice - pepper, coriander, cardamom and clove - take over, complemented by gentle smoke and peat. A pleasant mouthfeel and extremely warming. Surprisingly, the alcohol is already very well integrated and not pungent at all.
Finish: The finish is deliciously long with warming spice, mainly coriander and clove, with a slightly sweetness and a whiff of smoke. Nicely mouth-coating.
With water: Water tames the intensity of the flavours on the nose significantly bringing the citrus flavours to the fore. On the palate, there is less spiciness and a bit more sweetness with a long and lingering spicy finish.
Comments: Boy - what an incredible intense and flavourful young whisky. Appears to be much older than just seven years. A harmonious balance of smoke, hot spices and delicate flavours of a refill sherry butt. Quite impressive and a real bargain. Well done indeed!

I thank Caminneci - Wine & Spirit Partner for sample and photograph!