Ledaig 1993 WM (Wilson & Morgan)

Bottled by Wilson & Morgan, this Ledaig matured to 25 year old from 1993, drawn from cask 269-270 and bottled at 51%. The outturn was 456 bottles. Ledaig is the heavily peated single malt of Tobermory distillery, the only distillery on the Isle of Mull, founded in 1798. Water comes from the Gearr Abhainn, a private hill loch above the town of Tobermory.

The spirit was made in the kinked copper stills from peated barley, for a smoky, tarry make with a sweet core. A sherry cask wrapped the smoke in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Long ageing brings a soft, sweet smoke, dried fruit and a coastal salt. Active casks frame the smoke without smothering the fruit beneath. Water is drawn from a private hill loch, the Gearr Abhainn, above the town. Its painted home town gives the unpeated malt its name. A rare, more heavily peated make has appeared under the name Iona, after a neighbouring isle.

Undiluted at 51%, it is powerful. Peat, iodine and a fruity sweetness, and raisin and a nutty sherry depth build. A sweet fruit and a medicinal note sit under the smoke. A long, ashy finish ends on sea salt. This is the smoky side of Tobermory distillery.