Ledaig Sinclair Rioja Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml

Ledaig Sinclair Rioja Cask Finish is a smoky single malt made at Tobermory, the distillery in Mull’s main harbour town. Heavily peated barley goes in, the spirit ages in ex-bourbon wood, then spends 18 months in casks that held Spanish Rioja before bottling at 46.3% ABV. There is no age statement.

Buy Ledaig Sinclair Rioja Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky Online in New Zealand

Tobermory makes two spirits from the same stills: unpeated Tobermory and smoky Ledaig. This bottle opened the Sinclair Series, which honours John Sinclair, a kelp merchant who leased land on Mull in 1797 and had a distillery running within a year. The Rioja finish is the twist. Red wine casks add berry fruit and a ruby tint, which plays against the peppery peat smoke and the vanilla from the bourbon wood.

Tobermory Distillery’s own tasting notes:

Nose: Rose petals and Turkish delight, with candied fruit, leather and pepper.

Palate: Creamy barley and malt, peppery peat, black raspberry, vanilla and cocoa.

Finish: Long and smoky, with red fruit and a touch of sea spray.

Pour it neat into a tasting glass, then try a little water so the berries can show through the smoke. It goes well with smoked salmon, chorizo, a hard sheep’s milk cheese or dark chocolate. Pick it if you enjoy peated malts and want more fruit than a straight bourbon cask whisky gives, or if you are a red wine drinker curious about smoky Scotch.