Ledaig Sinclair Series Rioja Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 700ml

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A traditional Speyside taste that suits every palate, if anything it’s a little ‘basic’ for your aficionados. The 25 year old is next-level. With an ABV of 40-43%, it’s an approachable whisky albeit a little light on the palate for some seasoned drinkers.

When all of the local clan-killing was done, and the ship’s provisions were secured, it was time for the Spanish to set sail. Unfortunately, before they could scarper, one of the ship’s provisioners blew up the boat, killing almost everyone on board and sinking the San Juan de Sicilia – along with its rumoured cargo of Spanish gold – to the bottom of Tobermory Bay. However, the ship in question – depicted on the box in Turneresque expressionist splendour, listing forward engulfed in waves as it fights through a ferocious storm – has nothing to do with Nelson or Napoleon or Russel Crowe for that matter. While it might be the most familiar name, the unique distillery is actually one of the world’s best. Previously, the distillery mainly produced whisky for blends, however, in recent years, Glenallachie has undergone some serious changes, introducing several fruity, single-malt expressions like the 12-year we’ve selected here.

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Great if you love sweetness, fruit, and red wine on the nose and palate. It’s bottled at 46% ABV which makes it spicy, but it’s raw, rich, and natural in colour making it the perfect mid-range whisky.

The definitive dram for all palates, special enough for a seasoned drinker while approachable for your beginners. This single malt is matured in sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez for rich notes of dried fruit and candied citrus with a splash of oak.

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That isn’t to say it’s deft in its manoeuvres. It’s a fairly evenly spread blast of the more bitter-edged fruits - grapefruit, orange pith and almost a lemon zest spritz. The finish is long enough that I’m still tasting the echos of that sooty peat, but with the ghost of a boiled sweet around the periphery. We may, but are not under any obligation, to release new functionalities and tools or other features for the Service every now and then. Any new functionalities, tools and features shall be part of and governed by the Terms from the moment they are launched and/or available. Further, we reserve the right to modify, change, discontinue the Service, add or remove features, update the Service, change its appearance, temporarily and permanently, at any time, in whole or any part thereof. On the nose: Fruit tarts with a pleasant, worty sweetness. Maybe it’s because I knew that it was finished in Rioja casks, but there were definite cherry and plum aromas with a feinty-leathery underbelly you’d expect from a Gran Reserva. The smoke and spice – which are hard to get hold of – are subdued under the weight of the fruit. Inspired by the Spanish galleon which sank off the harbour of Tobermory more than 400 years ago. Believed to have been laden with jewels, we have finished our smoky Ledaig signature expression in hand selected Rioja casks in honour of the Spanish treasure buried deep off our shoreline.

Surprisingly thin on the first swish leaving a mild TCP tang on the tongue. Fortunately each further sip brings a little something extra to the party from burnt marzipan to salted pork chops. While it certainly brings a variety of associations in the mind, none really squeeze the taste buds hostage. The finish ends on a high with a savoury vegetal smoke: think of putting a cabbage patch fire out with a jar of Marmite. That last one is a positive in my book. The finish is a little bitter with hints of ethanol but remains pleasant. Nothing particularly special about it, just a good all-around flavour.

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Big smoke. This non-chill filtered dram is raw and punchy for the palates that demand a proper spanking. If that doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, we’d look at a sherry cask. While it remains unpeated there’s a hint of smokiness on the finish that seems a touch out of place. That being said, it’s a great entry point for smoke and peat in developing your palate. The results of the Icons of Whisky Scotland 2022, Whisky Magazine's latest Hall of Fame inductees, and Scottish regional results of the World Whiskies Awards 2022 can be found below.