Ledaig 11 y/o - Wu Dram Clan - 54,4%
Photo taken somewhere in Stuttgart
Welcome to the newest release of the Wu Dram Clan, a collaboration between three enthusiastic whisky friends from Germany and Japan who have already bottled a few really great single casks from humble distilleries like Springbank, Highland Park or Lagavulin. We strictly love that Cthulhu-like label, that could come straight from a feverish H.P. Lovercraft's nightmare.
Nose
Very odd and sophisticated bouquet. Always interesting how the Ledaig peat profile completely differs from the well known Islay peaters. Brake fluid, wet cedar and swiss pine wood. There is also a fat sweetness of smoked Manuka honey, plus floral and soapy notes like gentians, camomile but most of all: lavender oil (hammam style). With water: it's suddenly becoming really exotic, with fresh tamarind and green plantains from the Caribbean. This is a first time! What a turn and crazy development.
Palate
We hear Rodriguez warbling his Sugar Man ballad, with this being super-sweet, uber-oily and all on smoked honey, vanilla cake, vietnamese coffee and crushed mountain flowers from the Alps. The distinctive rubber note is also there.
With water: More sweetness and even smoother, almost silky. Oh my, that fellow is dangerously drinkable.
Finish
Long and bittersweet. No lemons, but bergamots and really old grapefruits, with rubber and the astringency of a green, unripe banana.
Rating
From all the Ledaigs we have had this is the most odd, but also most elegant one. Isn't is that surprising experience that we love so much about single casks? It feels a bit like a surrealistic dream, that Salvadore Dali would be proud of. You can sit on the nose for hours, puzzling the meaning.
