The latest trip to the Signatory Vintage warehouses resulted in this Ledaig 2004, as well as a Dailuaine 1997 which we’ll review soon. Quite some Ledaig releases out there but few of them are from a sherry cask.
Ledaig 10 yo 2004 (46%, Signatory Vintage for The Bonding Dram 2015, first fill sherry butt #15/453, 379 btl.)
Ledaig 10 yo 2004 (46%, Signatory Vintage for The Bonding Dram 2015, first fill sherry butt #15/453, 379 btl.)Nose: very tarry and ashy with lots of tobacco notes up front. Slightly acrid smoke and motor oil. A lot of wet wool / canvas as well. Anchovies in salt. Becomes sweeter after a while, with almonds, blood orange and toffee apples. Well integrated peat and sherry.
Mouth: intense sooty notes again, but the strength is perfect, I think. Sweetened Lapsang. Big salted caramel and liquorice too. It’s really peaty but the candied / caramelized undertones make it really moreish. Also it highlights the buttery texture. Always (pipe) tobacco and blood oranges in the background.
Finish: slightly capped by the lower alcohol, but nice. Sweet and ashy.
You know, I think I like this kind of profile better at 46% than at cask strength. The sweetness really stands out and helps to round the edges of this powerful dram. Well done and very well priced: around € 45.
Score: 87/100