Ledaig 2009 Hidden Spirits La Maison du Whisky 65th Anniversary 12 yo

 

 

 

54,2°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm 

Since it was founded in 2013, Hidden Spirits has released a few bottlings of Ledaig, half a dozen to be precise. This one is the highest rated on Whiskybase, it was selected by La Maison du Whisky to celebrate their 65th anniversary, which is why it's mainly found on the French market. No indication has been found of the type of cask used, but the colour suggests that it is a Bourbon Barrel, probably Refill. The distillate will therefore be given pride of place. It's a shame we don't know how many bottles were produced.

Let's Taste It : 

Quite dirty smoke, coaly, earthy, with layers of tar and gravel. Very light vanilla, but it has to be said quickly. Iodine, limestone and guano. Whitewashed pebbles. With water, white grapes and olives. A squeeze of lemon. Salt-coated quartz, greyish soot, a medicinal touch. Essence, coconut oil. Haribo banana. Smooth and silky on the palate, incredibly ethereal and airy - what a contrast with the nose! But very quickly, metallic shards, rusty nails and tin cans, fairly strong pepper and cloves. Further on, creamy vanilla, butter sauce, lychees. Quite violent finish, full of cloves and charcoal, dry earth, more petrol, but with wood shavings, chestnut crumbs, hazelnuts. Rose water.
 

In Short, 

For fans of Ledaig, this is an absolutely prodigious bottling, in which the distillate appears in all its purity and depth. Ledaig's famous dirtiness is evident here, with nothing to dress it up, as is that rocky, salty minerality. Just some delicious fruit in the background, in stark contrast to the rest. I've tasted Ledaigs as good, if not better, but they were older, more nuanced. This one is really rough, in all its youthful ardour, and I love it. To my great surprise, I see that it can still be found on some less popular sites. The price is a bit high, but if you're a fan of the distillery, it's a must. As far as I'm concerned, I got mine on special offer.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Dahlia - Castle of Glass