Ledaig 2002 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd selected this Ledaig matured to 14 year old from 2002, drawn from cask 0158 and bottled at 46%. Only 370 bottles were released. Ledaig is the heavily peated single malt of Tobermory distillery, the only distillery on the Isle of Mull, founded in 1798. Ledaig, the old name kept for the peated malt, means safe haven in Gaelic.

It was distilled from malt peated to around thirty seven parts per million, building the bold, smoky Ledaig style. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, soft oak that lets the peat lead. By this age the peat rounds into a sweeter, coastal smoke. The cool, damp island air gives a slow, even maturation. 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. The town of Tobermory was laid out by the British Fisheries Society a decade before the distillery came.

At 46% it is soft and deep. Wood smoke, BBQ char and a coastal salt, and the bourbon cask adds vanilla and a gentle honey. It is bold and coastal, the peat and soot to the fore. It closes long, smoky and briny. This is a heavily peated malt from Mull's only distillery.