Ledaig 2008 Aged 12 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 45%          Age: 12 Years Old         Country: Scotland

The Ledaig or Tobermory Distillery is a single malt whisky distillery located on the island of Mull in the Inner Hebrides off the West Coast of Scotland. Originally founded in 1798 by John Sinclair, under the name Ledaig (pronounced ‘led-chigg’). The distillery closed in 1837 and reopening in 1878, the distillery was acquired in 1890 by John Hopkins and Company. Today, Tobermory is the only distillery on the Isle of Mull. The distillery has quite a small annual capacity of just one million litres and runs at but three quarters of this capacity. In 1930, the distillery closed and was used as a power plant. It was not the only time Tobermory had been used for purposes other than whisky distillation; in 1982 the buildings were leased to a dairy company who used them for storing cheese. The distillery uses malted barley which is shipped from the Port Ellen maltings at the South-East of Islay, also home to a more recent experiment whereby some casks are sent for maturation on the island, these are bottled as Ledaig. The usual releases show us that when it’s bottled Tobermory then no or little peat has been used in the production but when it is released as Ledaig there is a high amount of peat content in the production and therefor a smoky whisky is created.

The Connoissuers Choice range was created in 1968 by whisky visionary, Mr George Urquhart, the ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ range has featured more than 2,000 bottlings from almost 100 Scottish distilleries. The unique story of each ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ whisky is told through its label: cask type, bottling date, strength, vintage and tasting note. Referred to by whisky writer Charlie MacLean as ‘the father of single malt’, George Urquhart is widely acknowledged to be one of our industry’s true pioneers

This bottling is part of the Gordon and MacPhail’s ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ range and has been sourced from the Tobermory Distillery. The spirit was distilled from peated barley in 2008 and left to mature in a refill Sherry Hogshead for around 9 year. It was the given a finish for 3 years in a Hermitage cask.  Bottled at 45% abv and limited to 4440 bottles.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Summer pudding, blanched lemon rind, deep smoky peaty notes.

Palate: Raspberries and strawberries, toffee apples, creamy smoke.

Finish: Fruity and smoky with rich oak and subtle spice.