Ledaig 2009 TWK (The Whisky Kingdom)

The Whisky Kingdom selected this Ledaig, an 11 year old from 2009, drawn from cask 700056 and bottled at 54.4%. A release of 279 bottles. Ledaig is the peated malt made at Tobermory on Mull, a distillery founded as Ledaig in 1798. It is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries, and the only one on its island.

It was worked through high reflux stills from peated malt, for the smoky, maritime spirit Ledaig is known for. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, soft oak that lets the peat lead. At a youthful age the smoke is vigorous and coastal. Years in oak round the smoke while the medicinal, tarry notes mellow. 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 cask strength 54.4% it is muscular. A maritime smoke over ripe fruit, and vanilla and a soft oak come from the bourbon wood. Soft smoke and brine sit behind the cask sweetness. It closes long, smoky and briny. This is a bold, peated island single malt.