The one operational distillery on the Isle of Mull, Tobermory splits its yearly manufacturing between unpeated — Tobermory Single Malt — and peated whisky, which it manufacturers beneath the Ledaig label.
The distillery has two extremely aged core expressions within the American market: a 21 yr previous unpeated Tobermory, and an 18 yr previous, “closely peated” Ledaig — the latter of which we final noticed in 2015.
Let’s see how they style!
Tobermory 21 Years Outdated — This Scotch was laid down in refill casks in 1999, then transferred to sherry in 2015 for the remainder of its growing old interval. Almond pastry kicks off the nostril, like a stuffed croissant dusted with powdered white sugar. It’s notably candy and lightweight to begin, with each mulberry and oak growing with extra time within the glass. Mild wisps of cedar and pine wrap up the scent. The primary sip is wealthy in dried fruit — particularly mango — alongside pale milk caramel and honey-glazed sticky buns. As with the nostril, wooden crescendos with a while, reaching its peak proper on the midpalate; right here the whisky turns into barely astringent with out dropping that dried fruit and caramel sweetness. The end leans closely into glowing white grape juice and a contact of dusted cinnamon. 92.6 proof. A- / $281 (700ml)
Ledaig 18 Years Outdated (2024) — Made on the peated finish of Tobermory’s manufacturing cycle, this whisky spent 16 years in ex-bourbon barrels earlier than a ultimate two in sherry casks. The phenol content material ranges between 30 and 40ppm. On the nostril, it’s peat and burnt straw to get issues began, adopted shortly thereafter by pine tar and rubber steady matting. It’s actually extra intriguing than these notes make it sound, and underpinnings of burnt butterscotch and smoked applewood maintain the nostril from getting too mired in a phenolic stew. A savory first sip brings fried sage and thyme, maple-glazed bacon, and mesquite smoke focus. Baked apple and melted darkish cocoa construct towards the midpalate, whereas smoked chili pepper evokes Mexican sizzling chocolate. All is effectively (and actually fairly tasty) till a brief end, nearly each taste besides dried wooden receding into the background far too shortly. It’s a quite sudden cease on an in any other case complicated, peated dram. 92.6 proof. B / $177 (700ml) [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
Tobermory 21 Years Outdated
$281
