Ledaig Rioja Cask Finish

Score: 70

Ledaig Rioja Cask Finish came in 4th place in its tasting, a respectable mid-tier showing for a dram that brought fruit-laced peat and moody charm to the lineup. Part of the Sinclair Series from Tobermory Distillery, this expression is finished in hand-selected Rioja wine casks, adding a layer of red fruit sweetness to Ledaig’s signature coastal smoke. The nose opens with red grapes, cinnamon, rose petal jelly, and a wave of campfire smoke. On the palate, it’s a melancholy of peat and dried fruits, with notes of caramel with char, leather, raspberry jam, and a touch of salted brine. There’s a moorish and gratifying complexity here, good breadth, and a mature character that pulls you in. It’s youthful but composed, with a finish that’s creamy, warming, and tinged with cinnamon and wine gums. Compared to the Ledaig 10, this Rioja cask finish is less rugged, more romantic. It trades the muscular coastal punch for a sweeter, more nuanced profile, and while it didn’t climb as high in the rankings, it still made an impression. The peat is present but softened, allowing the fruit and spice to shine through. A dram for those who enjoy peat with a poetic twist, not as bold as Ledaig 10, but more contemplative, and well-placed in the tasting. It may not have roared, but it certainly smouldered with style.