Ledaig releases Scotch rarity

Scotch single malt Ledaig has launched its oldest expression to date in the form of a 42 year old “robust” and “smoky” whisky.

Called “Dùsgadh”, which means “awakening” in Gaelic, the whisky started its life at the Isle of Mull’s only distillery, Tobermory, which was originally known as Ledaig.

Just 500 bottles of the whisky will be released at an RRP of £3,500 each, with a focus on key markets such as the UK, North America and Asia. Brand owner Burn Stewart Distillers has confirmed that the next Ledaig release of a similar age will not take place until 2036.

Each bottle comes packaged in a box, complete with copper card entitling the buyer to “inherit” a bottle of Ledaig 10 year old when it is launched in 2025. This second whisky has been made from the final distillate of the same copper still that began service in 1972 when Ledaig’s 42 year old was born, but has now been decommissioned.

Thanks to its “heavy intensity” and “distinctly rich and smoky flavour”, aided by the fact that the whisky is un-chillfiltered for greater texture, Dùsgadh is recommended for drinking without water, ideally as a digestif or with a cigar.

Introducing the new expression, Ian MacMillan, master distiller at Burn Stewart said: “I’ve been distilling for almost 40 years and the smoky aroma retained in Ledaig 42YO is the highest I have ever come across in a 40YO island whisky.”

Hailing the “truly unique malt” that has emerged from such a long maturation process and careful blending, MacMillan marked the end of an era as he remarked: “The precious copper that released the first spirit in 1972 has reached the end of its distilling life and has produced exceptional vintage malt, which I am looking forward to sharing with an exclusive group of whisky lovers across the globe.”