This Ledaig, the peated version of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, was bottled for the Netherlands, just under two years ago. Immediately upon release it started scoring really high marks, which isn’t too surprising for an affordable whisky that is both peated and matured on a sherry cask.

Of course, as has been part of the introduction of many a review here, this was initially bought for the ‘Stay the Fuck at Home’ tastings’. A tasting like that was done with about 10 people and that doesn’t exactly empty a bottle.

Some samples were sold, after the tasting, as was the modus operandi at the time. With this being a peated and sherried whisky, I didn’t want to go through the entire bottle by doing that so I kept a bit for myself. By now the level of whisky is nearing the bottom of the bottle, and with a weekend away in sight, it’s high time for a review!

Sniff:
Well, this definitely is sherry and peat. The sweeter PX style, not overly complex. The peat is of a rather coastal style, with a briny quality to it. Quite some oak and dark dried fruits.

Sip:
The palate is rather gentle. I guess the ABV is held in check by the rather pushed oak influence. It’s quite sweet with dried dates and prunes. Sooty and briny smoke, lots of soft oak and a syrupy sweetness.

Swallow:
The finish has a bit more bite, but only a bit. Quite some sherry and oak again, really amped up compared to what you’d expect of a 13 year old whisky.

So, generally, sherry and peat is a really good combination. It doesn’t work in all situations, but in the ones that it does, it’s really good. Generally, though, it makes for good whisky, but not the most complex whisky. Especially when said whisky isn’t thirty years old. It tends to be fairly straight forward, but very tasty at the same time.

This one is no exception in that regard. It does what is says on the tin and it does it very well. Of course, this sold out rather quickly, but I wouldn’t even have been upset if I had gotten two bottles! It’s a lovely drinking whisky with a not-too-high ABV and lovely flavors. A very well selected cask by High Spirits, and one I’ll gladly finish with my in-laws soon!

88/100