Ledaig 2011 MM (Murray McDavid) (56.6%)

From Murray McDavid comes this Ledaig matured to 12 year old from 2011, drawn from cask 2301854 and bottled at 56.6%. The outturn was 85 bottles. Ledaig is the smoky side of Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull, one of Scotland's oldest distilleries. Water comes from the Gearr Abhainn, a private hill loch above the town of Tobermory.

The spirit was worked through high reflux stills from peated malt, for the smoky, maritime spirit Ledaig is known for. A sherry butt held it, sherry and smoke twining together. Mid age brings a deeper, sweeter smoke and a maritime lift. Coastal warehousing lends a mineral, sea spray lift to the smoke. Burn Stewart revived production in 1993, and Distell bought the distillery in 2013. The stills carry boil bulbs and a kink in the lyne arms, which lifts the reflux. Water is drawn from a private hill loch, the Gearr Abhainn, above the town. Its painted home town gives the unpeated malt its name.

At its natural 56.6% it is concentrated. A maritime smoke over ripe fruit, and the Palo Cortado adds a dry, nutty, savoury note. Soft smoke and brine sit behind the cask sweetness. It finishes smoky, salty and warming. This is a bold, peated island single malt.