Cadenhead Ledaig 15yo Authentic Collection November 2025 & Cadenhead Enigma Islay 13yo (ISY.3.A)

Cadenhead Ledaig 15yo Authentic Collection November 2025

Region: Highlands

ABV: 55.5%

Price: £80.00

Distilled in 2010 and fully matured in a single bourbon hogshead, this Ledaig was bottled in November 2025 for Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection. Outturn of 204 bottles.

Nose

There’s an initial burst of smoke on the nose that dissipates with time. Notes of Strawberry Angel Delight, pistachios, sea breeze, and iodine all follow. The alcohol spice (cracked black pepper) is noticeable but not impossible to ignore. A little one dimensional, and not one we’d have guessed was 15 years old.

Palate

The palate opens with notes of dry roasted peanuts, tar, advent calendar chocolate, dry seaweed, and flat lemonade. Sweet chilli spice appears on the medium length finish, with those aforementioned notes also lingering. The mouthfeel is good and has a touch of texture. Like the nose, the palate is a little one dimensional, but it is a solid dimension.

Nose (with water)

Water has brought more smoke to the nose, joining the pre-dilution notes, along with a hint of chlorine and some icing sugar. The alcohol spice has become better balanced.

Palate (with water)

With dilution, there is a slight reduction in the smoke, and the finish shows a little more of that cracked black pepper. Rice Krispies and tropical fruits, most notably papaya, now appear on the mid palate, while the mouthfeel hasn’t really lost anything.

Conclusion

We usually prefer our Ledaigs a little younger, but this is a versatile dram. Water opens it up and adds more sweetness, though it does dim the smoke slightly. Even with reduction, we do not feel it gains enough to push the score above a 7, but we’re sure some will disagree.

Score: 7/10

Value

As usual, Cadenhead have delivered a good dram at a good price point.

Cadenhead Enigma Islay 13yo (ISY.3.A)

Region: Islay

ABV: 57.7%

Price: £105.00

Distilled in 2011 and matured in a bourbon barrel, this undisclosed Islay single malt was bottled in November 2025 as part of the Enigma line within the Authentic Collection. No official outturn stated.

Nose

The nose opens very buttery: think freshly baked croissants, and butteries. Behind the butter, strawberry Chewits and ashy peat appears. Tertiary notes include dried earth, smoky bacon crisps, iodine, seaweed, and Galaxy milk chocolate. There’s minimal alcohol spice here given the ABV.

Palate

There is a lot more smoke on the palate, most notably smoked streaky bacon, with a touch of golden syrup, lemon juice, vanilla ice cream, creme brûlée, and dried earth following. These are joined by a bitter note of burnt coffee and a little white pepper spice on a medium length finish. The mouthfeel could be better and it is a touch thin, but It doesn’t really taste its ABV, and if drinking blind we would have guessed it was lower.

Nose (with water)

Water has brought the smoke to the fore, and we’re now strongly reminded of hickory wood chips. It has also turned more savoury than sweet: think Ryvita crackers, porridge oats, and corn. There’s till very little alcohol spice.

Palate (with water)

There is still a good amount of smoke on the reduced palate, but the sweetness is a little more pronounced. Sardines in brine appear on the mid palate. A touch more spice comes through on the finish, and the burnt coffee note shifts to freshly roasted coffee. The mouthfeel has improved and the finish is largely unchanged.

Conclusion

A solid early teens Islay that drinks well neat or with a splash of water. Depending on your mood, you can enjoy something sweeter or peatier. It is just missing a little something for us needed to push it to the next level. We are going to go with a respectable 7.

Score: 7/10

Value

It is difficult to judge value for money without knowing the distillery.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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