One of the best 18 year old whiskies? | Ledaig 18 REVIEW

I've got a single malt scotch whisky from the Tobermory distillery in the islands/highlands region. This is the Ledaig 18. It's a peated sherry-finished 18 year old, and it's got a very good reputation. I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - For cocktails & people you don't like
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes

[@valentin8696]

Hi Geoff, as you probably know, here in Germany, it is mandatory to disclose on the label if E150a is used. And as a big fan of Tobermory, Bunna and Deanston, I have never seen such a statement on any whisky of the Burn Stewart distilleries. So I am almost 100% sure that Burn Stewart never artificially colors their whiskies.

[@JoshuaJ01]

On the website its says "Like all the whiskies produced at Tobermory Distillery, this is non-chillfiltered and natural colour. " so I think you're right

[@haydenblack4395]

Was coming to say this as well. Looked it up today already in regard to the Sinclair and it said that none of their whisky is coloured

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

It's natural colour 💯

[@xxjongjongxx]

Doesn’t matter if it’s not stated on the bottle.

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@xxjongjongxx Is it required to be stated on the bottle? The answer is "No"; so it does kinda matter if you're looking for an answer.

[@PaulAlabama]

I went through 2 bottles of regular 18 last couple of years. Now I prefer more bourbon maturation in my whiskies, so I recently picked up 19 yo Ledaig 1997 Rest & Be Thankful. It's like the regular 10, but on steroids. Amazing stuff. oh, and also the next James Bond should def be Ralfy lol

[@gobingus5504]

loved the ledaig 10. Saving up for this one though as I've never spent more than £50 on whisky but this one seems worth it

[@FEWGEE1]

It is. You won't regret it.

[@rupertansell4662]

On their website the Tobermory distillery states that their whiskies are non-chillfiltered and natural colour 👍

[@DeftonE88]

Got a bottle of this for £80 ready and waiting for when autumn rolls around. Can’t wait! Great video as always 🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Great price! Enjoy! 🥃

[@WhiskyWolf514]

How come I didn't get a notification of this video! Damn you KZbin! Loved the review my friend! I just realized by watching how much I miss the Ledaig house style. I don't have any bottles open currently but I have a Riojas and an 18 yo in the stash. They need to come out sooner or later 😎🥃 As for my nomination as the next James Bond would be: Lizzo. Your welcome. And on that note - have a wonderful week Buddy 😎🥃🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Lizzo. Good pick. 😂 You're gonna love both of those Ledaigs man. Excited for you to open them! 🥃🥃🥃

[@leojudkins2040]

Excellent. I have an unopened bottle of this waiting for me in England, happy to hear that it's still great stuff.

[@HenrikLassu-igenyteremtes]

Yesss! Absolutely banger of a whisky this one, perma-buy for me, probably my favorite “go-to premium” whiskies

[@Gwhisky]

Agree! Pretty much always have a bottle of this on the shelf! Big crowd-pleaser! 🥃

[@RenatoSladovic]

Nice review. Exactly 91 for me too. Great whisky, great value.

[@maner088]

Really love how this channel is ageing like a fine whiskey. The subtle punches of humor is like the "funk" you mentioned 😊

[@bom128]

Absolutely love this @gwhisky! Learned about it from you 👍 got a bottle open for friends to try and a back up. My whisky afficionado friends are blown away also when they try it.

[@Gwhisky]

Hah that's great to hear. Glad you and your friends are enjoying. Cheers! 🥃

[@cemtuncel1602]

Great comparison of James Bonds :) Makes totally sense, I'm gonna use this among friends :) Of course mentioning it came from you, thx Geoff

[@bluesmanen1]

Great review! This is one I'm looking rorward to try, sometime. It's not avilable in Sweden at this moment in time, sorry to say, but it might show up sometime in the future...and if it's a fair price then, I'll try to get my hands on a bottle. Cheers

[@hansvaneenennaam457]

Hi Geoff, great review. Have an open bottle myself, really enjoying it. For me, I do not notice the sweetness. It is very herbal indeed. Love that. Also going to coffee in the quite long finish. Really nice stuff. Recommended.

[@FEWGEE1]

Ledaig 18 is the best bang for your buck single malt on the market. Nothing else even comes close, for me. It punches way above it's weight.

[@stevenjosefsson5749]

Hope you can get your hands on the triple wood. That one is mega!

[@lesterlau]

Loving my bottle of Ledaig 18! I'm not a huge peat head, but this one really works for me. I managed to score the older bottle with the wooden box, and of course the cork busted right out of the gate. Still, fantastic whisky, and among one of my favorite peated expressions so far. Delicious stuff! Thanks for the review @gwhisky!

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I think this is one of the most accessible heavily peated whiskies. Like I said, pretty much everyone I know loves the stuff. Cheers buddy! 🥃

[@snapperxv]

Bit of a Ledaig fan boy so big caveat there. I don't score but it is my best bang for buck mature peated malt. (I do set limits on spending for current bottlings so I missed the PX as it was just on the limit at the time of release and I havered too long.) The 18 is my winter sipper of choice - permashelf.

[@raulalfonsin9975]

Great whisky

[@lightplays2181]

Geoff respect for reviewing my favourite whisky ))))

[@Gwhisky]

Your favourite? Hah that's awesome. You're clearly a gentleman of exquisite taste, my friend. 😉🥃

[@lightplays2181]

@@Gwhisky )))))) thanks for thee compliment , Cheers !

[@andypike1234]

Had it recently. Very gentle and nice (for Ledaig). Maybe I would welcome a bit of funk from batch 3 like bicycle oil. But it was great anyway. Different type of animal. Next JB? You!

[@gareth630]

Geoff as you know I am a Mull fan boy. This is a great dram for all the reasons you stated as pointed out by some others I think 100% no colour. This year no 18 yr for me I'm going with the Ledaig Triple wood 53.8% n/c , ncf. Made in honour of Gordon Buchanan ( mull wild life and the Sea Eagles especially ), Made for the Mull and Iona community trust, will open this at Christmas 2024 🙂 RE James Bond the man who steers the Bunna to the shores hard as nails Shane at Whisky Lock ;-)

[@angerysig1]

Tobermory doesn't miss with their Ledaig line. I just grabbed the 9yr cask strength in bordeaux cask and its incredible.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

This is a fantastic whisky for the price. I first tried the Ledaig 18 head to head with the old one batch 2 wooden box and between those two I enjoyed this one more so now I like it even more :) Cheers Geoff, oh and for the Bond role Henry was my first choice but after Bullet Train, I think ATJ could do a great job.

[@vimalrajkappil]

It's on a very long list of must buy

[@torbjornkarlsen]

The James Bond movies are both chill filtered and coloured, so I'm definitely giving them a miss. I saw one of the newer ones and spat it out immediately.

[@jonathanso86]

The best 18y OB

[@Redknight535]

I thought the neck pour was abit underwhelming when I opened it around Christmas but revisiting it a few weeks ago. I thought it was so much better after it being opened for awhile. I am team Cavill for the next Bond.

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Geoff , tried this 18 a few times and it is good, but in my market it’s waaaaayy too expensive,around €138. Good review Geoff, cheers 🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Ouch yeah that's pricey! Sorry to hear that, David. Cheers! 🥃

[@murgh]

Nice with a report on 2 year opened stuff. Encouraging. I love mine and plan to enjoy it slowly (since the price here is a bit cruel). Tom Hardy for Bond and a next level rugged unstable psycho-level whisky Bond metaphor.

[@BonjobyBasketball]

Hi Geff, love your content! Quick question, do you use any argon gas to help your longer term / expensive whiskies last longer? I've heard a lot of people rave about this stuff and I have heard heaps of people say it can stop a whisky from going "flat" but I do wonder whether it can help more peaty whiskies maintain their punch in the medium-long term. Keep up the good work!

[@Dersensiblewhiskeytrinker]

I bougt it yesterday… good one .

[@Gwhisky]

Nice! 🥃

[@peatbull3426]

Nothing to add Goeff, its Gr8 review of Gr8 whisky. Its fantastic stuff, every time have it in a glass there are magic moments. P.S. have you heard or tried Siren Bay? Its misterious island single malt, 18yo MoM have it on sale from time to time for £54.99 and some ppl say its Ledaig. I bought it and made H2H. Very similar in profile but imho Ledaig is more round and slighty fresher like gentle citrusy notes but this is good stuff worth try and for 55 pounds is a banger. Cheers 😁🥂🥂🥂🙋‍♂️

[@Gwhisky]

Wow I've not heard of that one. Hell of a deal if it can go toe-to-toe with Ledaig 18, even if it falls a bit short. I'll add it to the (very long) list of whiskies I'll have to try on my next UK visit. Cheers! 🥃

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

I do like this one.

[@Gwhisky]

It's fantastic stuff! 🥃

[@torbjornkarlsen]

Being a whisky drinker living in Norway, this one is a prime example that one has to beware of the pricing. It costs 1690 NOK here, which roughly equals 156 USD or 124 GBP. It doesn't matter how brilliant the whisky is, I don't want to teach the importers that highway robbery is OK. Otherwise I'd definitely be interested in this one! A shame nobody imports the 10 YO.

[@Gwhisky]

Wow that's a huge jump! Totally understandable skipping this one at that price. Didn't realize Ledaig was either unavailable or overpriced in Norway. I was under the impression you guys have pretty good selection. Cheers. 🥃

[@edelrosario5105]

Please review the new release peated Kavalan!

[@DileepB]

Great price!

[@levonhovhannisyan2181]

Thank you for another great review. Continuing the topic of 18YO, may I ask your thoughts on Glen Grant 18? There are really very few reviews of that one.

[@Gwhisky]

I like the GG18, however for me it doesn't have a lot of "fireworks." It's a very solid and well-made whisky, but I've never bought my own bottle because I think it's good, but somewhat pricey for what you're getting. Cheers! 🥃

[@levonhovhannisyan2181]

@@Gwhisky Thank you so much for this short review. Appreciated 🙏

[@eviltrain24]

Still can’t find the Ledaig 18 in the states. Oddly, I happened upon a $185 Ledaig 1996 (19yr, Spanish olorosso cask). I was surprised by how aggressive that tasted. I was expecting a more integrated and gentler peat presentation. With only 1 session, I’m not settled on my feelings but so far, it’s very good, but probably not $185 good. (Gave it a 3.9/5; or about 87/88 from 100) It came in a fancy wooden box, my first; so that helped a little since I’ve always wanted a fancy wooden box whisky.

[@Gwhisky]

Fancy wooden boxes always justify the price, right? 😉 I've seen that Ledaig around here as well, but for roughly the same price. Never pulled the trigger, so interesting to get your take on it. Cheers buddy! 🥃

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for re-reviewing Geoff. Like peat, dislike sherry. #HappyMinority 'nough said, you know me. Slàinte mhath

[@FABiOTiS]

Next James Bond? I'm not sure Pam Grier would be my pick, but Idris Elba would totally crush that role.

[@Gwhisky]

Idris would be an incredible Bond. Still #teanWanda though. 😉

[@GeoffreyBangers]

Nick Offerman IS James Bond in a new 007 action blockbuster: Operation Moustache

[@Gwhisky]

Love it! 😂

[@johnzajac9849]

Jeff Bridges. His moniker could be, 'The Big Bond-kowski'.

[@ps3inquisition441]

I wish I could get this for $100. I’ve never even seen it on shelves. Fun fact: Wanda Sykes lives in the same town as me.

[@Gwhisky]

Well if you ever bump into Wanda at the local coffee shop, please let her know there's a huge online movement hoping she's the next Bond. She'll be Syked. 🥃

[@SimonneNZ]

This one is currently not in stock here and was priced well outside my budget when it was available. The 10 and Sinclair Rioja are readily available. Next James Bond, maybe an AI generated Sean Connery? Cheers!

[@WhoeverNevermind]

The next James Bond should be Shoenice. Either way... Nice review, as always. This bottle has been on my list for years. I thought the sherry finished version was just that, a version of the regular ex-bourbon only 18. But I think I was wrong... Is this really the only one?

[@Gwhisky]

As far as I know every iteration of the standard 18 has been sherried. 🥃

[@brukuns]

Ledaig no longer color their whiskies but judging by the color of this one, it's one of the slightly older, colored bottles. Mine is lighter and a newer bottle.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I think they did add colour up until a few years ago, although I could be wrong. It's been put on the website in recent years. Now if they'd just put it on the labels... 🥃

[@timshulepov]

8:30 -- a score inflation? Oh noez!

[@_fwd_racecar_]

Here's what my scoring database looks like. Favorite whiskys get a 10 because there's nothing more I could ask from them to do. Arran 10 -- 10 (pineapple, malt, honey) Loch Lomond 18 -- 10 (red fruits, slight smoke) Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 -- 10 (port cask) Highland Park Dark Origins -- 10 (sherry, slight sea) Oban 14 -- 10 (pear) Redbreast 15 -- 10 (shortbread) _____________________________________ Glenmorangie 10 -- 9.5 (red apple, orange) Redbreast 12 -- 9.5 (shortbread) Glenlivet 14 -- 9.5 (green apple) Macallan 12 -- 9.5 (quintessential speyside) Loch Lomond 12 -- 9.5 (red fruits, spice) Green Spot -- 9.5 (green apple, oak) Redbreast Lustau -- 9.5 (sherry cask) Naked Malt -- 9.5 (sherry, malt) ________________________ Glenlivet 12 -- 9 (green apple) Speyburn 10 -- 9 (speyside) Penderyn Gold -- 9 (madeira cask) Benriach 12 -- 9 (malt, oak) Benriach 10 -- 9 (standard speyside) Lagavulin 16 -- 9 (slight sea, smoke, spices) Suntory Toki -- 9 (red apple, honey, green grape) EH Taylor Barrel Proof -- 9 (brown sugar, caramel) Four Roses Single Barrel -- 9 (cherry, oak, spice) Four Roses Select 104 -- 9 (cherry, oak, spice) _______________________________ Chivas Regal 12 -- 8.5 (bourbon cask, slight peat) Loch Lomond nas -- 8.5 (red fruits) Monkey Shoulder -- 8.5 (malty) Slane og -- 8.5 (sherry) Slane 90 -- 8.5 (sherry, oak) The Sexton -- 8.5 (sherry, malt) Bushmills og -- 8.5 (vanilla, green apple) Bushmills 92 -- 8.5 (vanilla, banana) Ardbeg 10 -- 8.5 (smoked pork) Teacher's Highland Cream -- 8.5 (smoke, cream) Maker's 46 -- 8.5 (cherry, maple syrup) Eagle Rare -- 8.5 (dark chocolate, hazelnut) Bookers -- 8.5 (bitter oak) Woodford Reserve -- 8.5 (brown sugar) Weller SR -- 8.5 (cream soda) _______________________________ Knob Creek -- 8 (bitter oak, caramel) 1792 -- 8 (cherry) Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve -- 8 (rum) Jameson Stout -- 8 (coffee) __________________________ J&B Rare -- 7.5 (speyside) Jameson IPA barrel finish -- 7.5 (hops) Trail's End -- 7.5 (oregon oak spice finish) Old Forester 100 -- 7.5 (cherry, caramel) OGD 114 -- 7.5 (nutty) Elijah Craig -- 7.5 (standard bourbon) Rebel 100 -- 7.5 (cherry, spice) _______________________ Jameson -- 7 (shortbread) Early Times 100 -- 7 (brown sugar) Wild Turkey 101 -- 7 (nutty, spice) Buffalo Trace -- 7 (brown sugar, caramel) ___________________________________ Bowmore 3 (McClelland's Islay) -- 6.5 (sea smoke) Four Roses Small Batch 90 -- 6.5 (cherry) Evan Williams Small Batch 90 -- 6.5 (leather, black tea) Bulleit Bourbon -- 6.5 (standard bourbon) Whistlepig Piggyback Rye -- 6.5 (cinnamon, oak, spice) __________________________________ Glenlivet Founder's Reserve -- 6 (green apple) Old Taylor -- 6 (caramel) Old Forester -- 6 (standard bourbon) Maker's Mark -- 6 (cherry cough syrup) ______________________________ Paddy's -- 5.5 (vanilla, grain) Jim Beam White Label -- 5.5 (nutty) Evan Williams Black Label -- 5.5 (sweet) ___________________________________ Glenfiddich 12 -- 5 (apple funk, mixer only) Balvenie DW 12 -- 5 (funky apple, mixer only) J.T.S. Brown 100 -- 5 (nutty, tobacco, mixer only) ____________________________ Jack Daniel's -- 4.5 (banana candy, mixer only) Crown Royal -- 4.5 (maple syrup, mixer only) __________________________ Laphroaig 10 -- 4 (strong sea, smoke, mixer only) Johnnie Walker Black -- 4 (strong sea, smoke, mixer only) Benriach Smoky 12 -- 4 (strong smoke, orange, mixer only) ________________________ Rich & Rare -- 3.5 (maple syrup, mixer only) Seagram's 7 -- 3.5 (maple syrup, mixer only) _______________________ Pendleton -- 3 (maple syrup, mixer only) Legacy -- 3 (maple syrup, mixer only) _______________________________________ Glen Garioch 3 (McClelland's Highland) -- 2.5 (underaged, undrinkable) ________________________________________ Crater Lake Rye -- 2 (pool chlorine, undrinkable) John Barr Black -- 2 (peat, heavy grain rubbing alcohol, undrinkable) ________________________ Lauder's -- 1.5 (floral perfume potpourri, undrinkable) __________________________ Fireball -- 1 (hot tamale candy, undrinkable)

[@rogeriodemoraes833]

Where Deanston 12 is?????

[@_fwd_racecar_]

@@rogeriodemoraes833 haven't tried Deanston yet, thanks for the recommendation, i'll get it next outing to the whisky bar

[@rogeriodemoraes833]

@@_fwd_racecar_ I am sure you won't be disapointed. I know it's not super marvelous but it is on my list of the best 12 yo single malts

[@Allaluca]

How different is this batch compared to batch 3 in the wooden box? Which one do you favor?

[@_fwd_racecar_]

i've noticed the scores on a few different channels like yours, Ralfy, and scotch test dummies, Never give a perfect score. Is a perfect whisky not possible? What would a whisky have to do reaching the highest of marks? It is like if a teacher said, if you get every question correct, you'll get a B+ and if you do extra credit A-. New request, review something you would give a mid 90s score to. If Scottie brought you some Aldebaran, you'd probably complain it wasnt from ten forward and was replicated.

[@Gwhisky]

It's happened many times over the years that I've tasted something that I felt was as close to perfect as whisky can be. Then maybe my tastes changed over time, or maybe the bottle I thought was the "best thing ever" was surpassed by an something else. I like the idea of never having a perfect score. It leaves some wiggle room. 🥃

[@leeevans-xw2xv]

Hi are you going to do a video about what whisky u are looking forward to seeing this year or tasting

[@Gwhisky]

I like the idea! 🥃

[@abinashswain3136]

Need help choosing between Laga 16 vs Ledaig 18. Help please.

[@michaelwood3203]

There are some hopeless suggestions for Bond. I have a fantastic idea. Obviously has to be a whisky aficionado, with suave air, capable of awful puns and for the sake of inclusivity needs to be from a foreign (ie not British) country. You therefore qualify Geoff, you should audition!

[@Gwhisky]

But isn't Bond supposed to be a charmer with the ladies? Immediate fail. 👎😉

[@sdljvbnskvdsdvkjva5131]

funny how you and Rob from whisky in the 6 both copy Ralphy's new scoring system of "2 points less" lol

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah seems to be the trend. Makes sense for me. My scores always felt too high compared to other people.

[@SaltyCuban]

I have to ask. Is Talisker 18 worth buying before it rockets out of reach? I’ve never had it and don’t want to miss out forever. That said how does it compare score wise to Ledaig 18? I know they’re different but the price difference is very significant. That said, if you had to choose between Talisker 18 and Tamdhu 18 what would you pick? Never had either. If I buy both it’ll be @$400 . So I’ll probably buy one and round out my purchase with Ledaig 18 at $85

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

This is very good. However I would really like to taste the 16 year old bourbon casks before they get put into sherry butts for two more years. Would happily pay the same price for a Ledaig 16 full bourbon cask maturation at 50%. Cheers

[@Gwhisky]

That would definitely be interesting to try. Sign me up! 🥃

[@Koby616]

Geoff should be the next James Bond. If he declines Tom Hardy. I would love to get this one with a wooden box. 😊

[@quelodequelo]

Zendayayyayayaiii

[@customer9845]

Unfortunately Ledaig 18 is not available in my area.

[@vktay3198]

Your thoughts: the old Ledaig 18 is 30% more expensive than the current Ledaig 18, and 60% more expensive than Ledaig 10. What would be the best bang for the buck in this context.

[@Gwhisky]

For value of course the 10. Loads of flavour at a very fair price. Between the two 18s I'd opt for the current version, as I enjoy it as much as the old batch versions. The Rioja is a great value buy as well! 🥃

[@SaltyCuban]

Similar price: Ancnoc 24 or Talisker 18?

[@edelrosario5105]

The name's Sykes. Wanda Sykes. Hmmm....

[@Halliskyes]

*the best if you like peat

[@jakubhaska3707]

Marcin Dorociński is my favorite candidate as James Bond. Support local actors. Ledaig 18 YO is one of my favorite smoky whiskies. Really great choice, Geoff. 👍

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

I do think the old version was something like a 93. One of the highest Quality/Price Ratios I can think of.

[@Gwhisky]

Have you tried the new one? Still incredible. For me it's on the same level. 🥃

[@jamesdoolan7966]

I don’t want to be a downer but I was given a bottle of this as a present and I really wasn’t too bothered. It’s good but for the price I think you can get better. I know, I’m in the minority here…. Just didn’t do it for me.

[@giocciprezziosi]

Are you sure its not natural colour?

[@Gwhisky]

Not sure as it's not stated, but I believe Ledaig recently made the move to stop colouring all of their whiskies. Hopefully that will be relayed on the packaging. 🥃

[@richardkilley6838]

According to the Tobermory website, ledaig 18 is natural colour!

[@Gwhisky]

@@richardkilley6838 Yes but that wasn't stated a couple years back when this bottle came out. I believe that's a recent move from the brand.

[@SuperBokonon]

@@Gwhisky I belive they do not colour their whisky, however they do not state it on a label so You are 100% right assuming it is with carmel added. Hope every reviewer will do this and it will push distillery to actually put a statement on a label.

[@traviskingdon3636]

@@Gwhisky I’m not convinced it’s been recent. I think it’s been this way at least 2 years.

[@user-br4py7pv3v]

不知道在哪裡可以買到😏

[@Gwhisky]

你在台灣嗎? 9city可能有...

[@user-br4py7pv3v]

感謝提供資訊，是的我在台灣，你中文很好👍。

[@pashaharrison230]

Great review , Henry Cavill

[@aframs-cctaf-rams-cct6424]

is this the one that comes in a wooden box?

[@Gwhisky]

No, this is a more recent release, from 2022. I think the batches in the boxes were stopped a few years prior. 🥃

[@superodfx]

Gracias

[@TalkingTorah613]

Ultimately why i probably wont buy this bottle, (and it may sound shallow) is the bottle design is boring. The opposite is true of lag16, which is a timeless bottle design that i love to look at while enjoying a dram of lag16. 🤷‍♂️for me it sells it in the end. Also, Im a 90's kid and goldeneye is the best James bond movie and Pierce Brosnan is the best James Bond.

[@TalkingTorah613]

Also its like $200 in my area. If it was $100 it be a no brainer, the 10yr is amazing and it was $50

[@xxacidmv]

.

[@ukaszkruszewski4849]

Pierwszy :)

[@ashythedon]

Henry Cavil is just too big and lacks that suave quality that DC possessed that every Bond requires. Sykes would be a good fit as James Bond except she can’t speak with the British accent. 😝

[@umami0247]

Wonda as James Bond just no. Stick to whisky reviews your picks for actors is way out. Just saying. And for 100 this is a steal.