- Location
- Leicestershire
I was just finishing off a bottle of Ledaig 10 that I’ve been drinking over the last couple of months and decided to open an Ardbeg 10 to replace it. I’ve had both before numerous times but not together. Here was an opportunity to compare them, an Island malt and the classic Islay one.
Ledaig 10, peat phenolics are strong, the peat for this comes from the west highlands. PPM 30-40. Slightly farmyard nose, also engine room, like an old steam train. Arrival is quite sweet, touch of salt, good development, sweetness remains, herbal, more industrial smoke, long finish peat and malt dominated, no wood notes. This has a reputation for being a rustic peated malt. In recent versions like this it has been refined quite a bit but some of that farmyard/engine room come through still.
Ardbeg 10, first pour, lemon, seaside ozone, acacia honey and a hint of rubber boots. The peat for this is more coastal and comes from Islay. PPM 50-55. Arrival is quite dry, light salt, coal, smoke, lemon oil and light herbs. Development remains dry, a touch austere but the smoke starts to build. Subtle honey comes through. Finish there is a lightness here but it has serious peaty intensity. Should develop more as the bottle opens up.
Of the two I thought the Ardbeg more sophisticated and polished. I preferred the classic peated nose, especially the light honey. In terms of flavour it was the sweetness of the Ledaig I liked best. That was the main point of contrast between the two as peat levels felt similar though the Ardbeg has a higher PPM
Ledaig 10, peat phenolics are strong, the peat for this comes from the west highlands. PPM 30-40. Slightly farmyard nose, also engine room, like an old steam train. Arrival is quite sweet, touch of salt, good development, sweetness remains, herbal, more industrial smoke, long finish peat and malt dominated, no wood notes. This has a reputation for being a rustic peated malt. In recent versions like this it has been refined quite a bit but some of that farmyard/engine room come through still.
Ardbeg 10, first pour, lemon, seaside ozone, acacia honey and a hint of rubber boots. The peat for this is more coastal and comes from Islay. PPM 50-55. Arrival is quite dry, light salt, coal, smoke, lemon oil and light herbs. Development remains dry, a touch austere but the smoke starts to build. Subtle honey comes through. Finish there is a lightness here but it has serious peaty intensity. Should develop more as the bottle opens up.
Of the two I thought the Ardbeg more sophisticated and polished. I preferred the classic peated nose, especially the light honey. In terms of flavour it was the sweetness of the Ledaig I liked best. That was the main point of contrast between the two as peat levels felt similar though the Ardbeg has a higher PPM