Ledaig 18 Year Old Sherry - Batch 3

This 18 years old Tobermory on sherry casks appeared in 2015 for the first time. I felt it was somewhat ‘schizophrenic’. I presume that this third batch, from 2016, will have the same split personality.

The nose is indeed a weird but nice mix of tar, rubber, smoke and buttermilk with red fruit, candied oranges and apricots. The first whiff is somewhat of a scary moment, but give it (and yourself!) some time to get used to it. Suddenly you’ll notice that it’s actually pretty good (at least, that was my experience).

It rolls softly across the tongue, nicely oily and a bit spicy on salt & pepper, nutmeg and a hint of ginger. The fruit shines through in the guise of oranges and strawberry, but that does not last long. Soon the whole is awash in brackish water, cold coffee and chewing tobacco. The smoke becomes intense but disappears just as quickly. Some late walnuts and camphor. Yup, this one is just as crazy as the previous one and I am fine with that.

The finish is medium long, smoky, peppery and sweet, but dies quite a bitter death on oak and liquorice.

Weird is good, right? This certainly is both. Thanks, Pat!

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