After a couple of years of limited releases from my favourite SMWS number, members have been treated to a swathe of new peated 42s (remember the number also covers unpeated Tobermory) over the past 12 months. This latest iteration is a 13 year old that’s been matured in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead.
Nose: Wild and far-reaching. A seafood medley particularly heavy with fresh oysters. A plasticine and rubber eraser factory billowing coal smoke out of its chimney. A lunchtime roast served with aromatic herbs and strips of bacon and a weird but wonderful combination of miso paste, smoked cheese and antiseptic cream. Always down for this. Dilution shines a light on a more farmy/barny character with wet hay, blue cheese and hung lamb played off against crab and glue sticks.
Taste: Sharpley mineral on the arrival with chiselled granite, powdered chalk and rock salt. Then a creamier, stranger centre with prawn bisque, soy and balsamic glazed belly pork and puffing steam ship smoke. Pine needles and floor cleaners follow alongside a squeeze of lemon and both wire wool and real wool - from a sheep. Water offers a much sweeter aspect with smoked fruit salad, lemon gel and peaches with cream – all served with BBQ briquettes – as you do.
Finish: Quite long and offering a fading combination of coasts, cliffs, smoke, sweet and sour fruits and meats.
An archetypal Ledaig that delivers a wonderfully wide-ranging adventure through land, sea, orchard and farm. Fans of this profile (and I make zero apologies) will find a lot to like here.