Review #: 433
Description: Archives Ledaig 2008
Spirit: Scotch
Background: This is a 10 year old scotch, distilled by Tobermory on February 7th, 2008 and aged for 10 years in a Hogshead (based on the color, I’m guessing pretty well used at that). It was then bottled on October 30th, 2018 by Archives for their “Butterflies from the US” line. This is peated spirit, making it Tobermory’s “Ledaig” line, which has been a solid option for me previously, so let’s see if that continues to stand.
Distillery – Tobermory
Bottler – Archives
Brand – Archives
Selection – N/A
ABV – 54.9%
Age – 10 Years
Nose – Sharp with peat and bitter lemon, almost mezcal like in smell, grapefruit salt, charcoal ash, honeycomb, dried hay
Taste – Sweet lemon buttercream, honeysuckle, lavender, almond
Finish – Huge punch of peat, tart lemon, cold ash. Big, brash, but if you like peat, it’s all great. Not acidic or aggressive with the proof.
Score: 7
Would I buy a bottle? Yes
Thoughts: This is peat, pure and simple. The distillate is right up front and punches you in the face to make sure you remember it. If you don’t like bold, ashy, peat, this won’t be for you. But if you love that dirty smoke taste, with lemon and honey in there, and embers left on your tongue, this will be right up your alley (like it is for me).