Ledaig 1997 (XOP) (50.9%)

Douglas Laing bottled this Ledaig matured to 21 year old from 1997, drawn from cask DL 13341 and bottled at 50.9%. Only 260 bottles were released. Ledaig is the smoky side of Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull, one of Scotland's oldest distilleries. The distillery was founded in 1798 by John Sinclair, a local kelp merchant, as the Ledaig distillery.

The spirit was run through the distillery's boil ball stills from peated barley, to build the medicinal, briny Ledaig character. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, soft oak that lets the peat lead. Long ageing brings a soft, sweet smoke, dried fruit and a coastal salt. The phenols soften with age into a gentle, sweet wood smoke. Mull's maritime climate works into the maturing casks over the years. It is one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland still working. Tobermory has distilled in the island's harbour town since 1798.

At its natural 50.9% it is concentrated. Soot, sea salt and a sweet fruit, and ex-Bourbon oak gives vanilla and a light sweetness. Beneath the smoke run brine, tar and a sweet fruit. The finish runs smoky, sweet and warm. This is the peated island malt of Mull.