Ledaig 1997 Kb (Kingsbury)

This is a Ledaig, selected and bottled by Kingsbury, a 19 year old from 1997, drawn from cask 800107 and bottled at 59.2%. Just 235 bottles were filled. Ledaig is the smoky side of Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull, one of Scotland's oldest distilleries. Burn Stewart revived the distillery in 1993, and Distell of South Africa bought it in 2013.

The spirit was distilled from peated malt in kinked copper stills on soft Mull water, giving a sooty, coastal peat smoke over a fruity sweetness. It was matured in ex-Bourbon oak, a vanilla sweetness beneath the smoke. Long ageing brings a soft, sweet smoke, dried fruit and a coastal 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.

At cask strength 59.2% it is muscular. Peat smoke, brine and a medicinal note, and the bourbon cask adds vanilla and a gentle honey. A BBQ char and a sea salt lift it. Soot and brine see out a long finish. This is Ledaig, the peated malt of the Isle of Mull.