Ledaig Sinclair Series - Rioja cask finish review

 Whisky Review 

Ledaig Sinclair Series - Rioja Cask Finish

ABV: 46.3%

RRP: £35-40

"Whilst maintaining Ledaig's core character, the active rioja cask influence adds a wealth of additional flavours into this already solid foundation."

Pronounced 'letch-ick', meaning 'safe haven', this sinclair series bottling is a tribute to founder John Sinclair who first established the distillery. Now known as Tobermory, the distillery offer a range of unpeated whisky under the Tobermory name, as well as a peated whisky range under the name of Ledaig. This no age-statement whisky is seen as the first release in their Sinclair Series. Coming in at a very pleasing price point, widely available, non-chill filtered and of natural colour, this bottle is already ticking the boxes. In direct competition with the Ledaig 10, can it live up to its 10 year old brother at a similar price point? 

Nose: 

A wonderful treat on the nose; sweet, meaty barbequed notes. Its honeyed chilli-beef with a coastal and peaty background. Salted popcorn and the rioja cask influence is certainly showing up for me, offering sweet fruity notes. Amongst the sweetness though there is some lingering peat. Bonfire embers on a winters night, its very inviting. 

Taste: 

Sweet and salty popcorn on the palate, in perfect harmony as they compete within the initial wash. Its sweet, no its salty, no its sweet again. Its not quite as meaty on the palate as it felt on the nose, a clear difference to the 18yo Ledaig which is pure barbequed meats. Its dry and very fruity. Cherries are quite prominent. The smoke is all within the finish, and its ash smoke, not your conventional peat. Tobacco and leather are proving that the rioja casks were well chosen and active within their influence. But they aren't overbearing as the Ledaig character is still clear to identify. It has a medium, smoky and drying finish. Very nice indeed. I'd LOVE to try this at a slightly higher abv. 

8/10

For its price point, you cant ask for much more. This is indeed a high quality, well balanced whisky. Whilst maintaining Ledaig's core character, the active rioja cask influence adds a wealth of additional flavours into this already solid foundation. Everything is in harmony, its balanced, its well judged and it has depth. Originally I was thinking a 7, but when you add the price into consideration, that bumps it up a score for me. Im a fan of Ledaig offerings and I very much enjoy their 10 yo. priced at £40, the 10yo draws mainly upon a bourbon cask influence. Also very very good, it comes down to personal preferences and palate. I like the 10yo. I really like this!

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only.