Ledaig 2010 BA (Blackadder)

This is a Ledaig, an independent Blackadder bottling, an 11 year old from 2010, drawn from cask 11 and bottled at 61%. 524 bottles in all. Ledaig, the peated malt of Mull's only distillery, keeps the old name the distillery bore when John Sinclair founded it in 1798. Water comes from the Gearr Abhainn, a private hill loch above the town of Tobermory.

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. A sherry cask wrapped the smoke in dried fruit and a nutty depth. At this age the smoke is fierce and ashy, the brine and medicinal note sharp. A patient maturation suits the bold, smoky Ledaig character. Both malts feed the Scottish Leader and Black Bottle blends as well as single malt. The distillery was refurbished and its stills renewed between 2017 and 2019. Mull's maritime climate works into the maturing casks over the years.

At its natural 61% it is concentrated. Peat smoke, brine and a medicinal note, and the Oloroso gives dried fruit and a toasted nuttiness. 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.