Ledaig 2002 (Old Particular)

Single malt Ledaig, selected and bottled by Douglas Laing matured to 15 year old from 2002, drawn from cask DL 11755 and bottled at 48.4%. Only 351 bottles were released. Ledaig is the smoky side of Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull, one of Scotland's oldest distilleries. The stills carry boil bulbs and an S shaped kink in the lyne arms, which raises reflux.

Distilled from peated malt in kinked copper stills on soft Mull water, giving a sooty, coastal peat smoke over a fruity sweetness. A refill bourbon cask held it, keeping the smoke to the fore. Around the mid teens the smoke knits with dried fruit and a sea salt. A patient maturation suits the bold, smoky Ledaig character. It is one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland still working. Tobermory has distilled in the island's harbour town since 1798. The town of Tobermory was laid out by the British Fisheries Society a decade before the distillery came.

Bottled at a cask strength 48.4%, it is intense. Peat smoke, brine and a medicinal note, and the refill bourbon lends a quiet vanilla. A BBQ char and a sea salt lift it. The finish is deep, tarry and sweet. This is Ledaig, the peated malt of the Isle of Mull.