One Cask at a Time Ledaig 30yo 1993 Cask #252 & One Cask at a Time Ledaig 18yo 2008 Cask #700122

One Cask at a Time Ledaig 30yo 1993 Cask #252

Region: Highlands

ABV: 42.3%

Price: £599.00 

Distilled at Tobermory on 5 March 1993, this 30-year-old single malt was bottled by independent bottler One Cask at a Time as part of its Grandfather collection. It was matured for 30 years in a Ex-bourbon barrel, which produced just 74 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with soft, squish yellow fruits, overripe apple, white chocolate, tinned pear slices and a light biscuitiness in the background. It's very gentle, barely any alcohol coming through, but it has that really "old whisky" nose. This also means that it's a bit difficult to get a lot out of the nose, but what is here is very pleasant. Going back, we're also getting cut grass and lightly caramelised bananas.

Palate

The palate opens with a zingy initial palate, lemons, tangerines and a hint of lime, moving into sweetened shortbread and sherbet. Like the nose, there's virtually no alcohol here, and it's very soft and light - perhaps a little thinner on the mouthfeel but that's understandable given the age of the whisky. There's more apple and pear as we go back, and a touch of almond paste too. The finish is a little drier than the initial palate, a little grapefruit rind coming through.   

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose hasn't changed too much, perhaps a little more white chocolate sweetness coming out. It does feel a bit more expressive - we can't say if that's the water or time breathing in the glass, but it's got a bit more body to it now.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has more citrus upfront, now with a little pineapple and mango, but more dry oak on the finish, giving it a little bit of astringency that we're not fans of. Unfortunately the mouthfeel is still quite thin.

Conclusion

We've had one or two of these older mid-90's Ledaigs, and they've always been lovely whiskies. We assume this is unpeated spirit that used the Ledaig cut points, rather than Tobermory cut points - as no peat in sight here. Really tasty whisky, if it had a slightly more textured mouthfeel it would reach an 8/10, but we'll go with 7.5/10.

Score: 7.5/10

Value

We’d personally suggested going for a slightly younger Ledaig that you should be able to get significantly cheaper.

One Cask at a Time Ledaig 18yo 2008 Cask #700122

Region: Highlands

ABV: 54.3%

Price: £180.00

Distilled at Tobermory in 2008 this single-cask release forms part of the Pendulum collection. It was matured entirely in ex-bourbon hogshead and produced 249 bottles. 

Nose

The nose opens with sour fruits, quite sharp, slightly metallic aromas, dry roasted peanuts, iodine, and a musty, dunnage warehouse aroma. The peat is punchy, perhaps a little more than expected given the age, but it's integrated well. There's a bit of caramel sweetness in the background, alongside coal fires and a bit of antiseptic. 

Palate

The palate opens with candied lemon peel, peach schnapps, dark chocolate nibs, and a softer smoke than the nose let on - more coastal, coal fire-like. It's also a lot sweeter, but that's counterbalanced by the upfront citrus. It's also quite warming, crystalised ginger and a little bit of chili spice towards the finish. The mouthfeel has a nice oily texture too. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose leans more towards the medicinal character, more iodine, bandages and a little coastal breeze. Otherwise it's pretty similar to the unreduced nose.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate loses a bit of texture, but maintains the sweet and sour profile, a little softer in places with hazelnut praline and soft vanillas appearing towards the latter palate. Perhaps a bit punchier on the peat as well now.

Conclusion

A punchy late teens Ledaig, really tasty and a little more medicinal in places than usual - veering towards Laphroaig territory. Well matured whisky left alone to do its thing, we can't complain.

Score: 7.5/10

Value

This definitely feels too expensive for what it is.

• 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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