LEDAIG 20 YO 2001 Antipodes S.V, 58.8% ABV

The Tobermory distillery, featuring four Oregon pine washbacks and four newly upgraded stills (installed in 2014 and 2019), crafts a balanced production of its signature unpeated Tobermory single malt and the peated Ledaig single malt. This distinctive bottling is sure to captivate the loyal enthusiasts of this bold and unconventional whisky. Reflecting a land of contrasts and rugged terrains, it explores uncharted flavor territories where surprises abound, reigning over its vibrant and complex aromatic profile.

TASTING NOTES

Colour: Topaz.

Nose: Subtle yet intense. The initial nose reveals vetiver-laced peat, deeply earthy and marsh-like, with hints of leather and smoked meat. As it opens, musky undertones emerge alongside unique vegetal aromas (cauliflower). Salty notes evolve into a marine character, with iodine and smoked fish adding depth.

Palate: Vibrant and precise. A soft vanilla sweetness leads the charge before transitioning into bold empyreumatic notes (sleet, diesel) and ashy tones. The mid-palate impresses with its herbaceous layers of straw, cut hay, and lucerne, balanced by the sweet richness of apricot liqueur. Oily, chocolatey peat takes center stage, accompanied by flavors reminiscent of soot and a hearth’s dying embers.

Finish: Long and confident. The finish begins with tangy orange juice spreading across the palate, enhanced by agave and violet, which amplify its herbaceous and floral dimensions. Retro-nasal aromas introduce petrol and gas oil, lingering deeply. The empty glass reveals a complex mix of peaty, animal (venison), vegetal (artichoke), and fruity (apricot stone) aromas.