Ledaig Sinclair Series "Rioja Wine Cask Finish" Scotch Whisky

Boldly expressive and intriguingly nuanced, the Ledaig Sinclair Series Rioja Wine Cask Finish marries Islay’s signature peaty intensity with the red fruit, spice, and subtle tannic lift of Spanish Rioja wine cask influence. This whisky is rich and layered yet surprisingly balanced—smoke and sweet fruit in seamless harmony.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Distilled at Ledaig, the peaty single malt expression from Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull, this release is part of the Sinclair Series, a line dedicated to innovative cask finishes. Ledaig’s core character—robust peat smoke, coastal salinity, and underlying malt sweetness—provides a powerful canvas.

For the Rioja Wine Cask Finish, the matured spirit undergoes a secondary period of ageing in carefully selected former Rioja wine barriques. These Spanish oak barrels, infused with the vibrant red fruit and subtle spice of Rioja, impart nuanced layers of dried cherry, plum, and soft tannin into the smoky Islay malt. The result is a whisky that feels both adventurous and grounded, with each influence enriching rather than overpowering the other.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Bracingly aromatic, with rich peat smoke and sea spray tempered by aromas of ripe red cherry, plum compote, and warm spice. Underneath, notes of vanilla pod, orange zest, and toasted oak emerge.

Palate:
Medium- to full-bodied and dynamic, opening with classic Ledaig peat and brine before unveiling layered fruit influences from the Rioja finish. Ripe berry notes—blackcurrant, red plum, dried cherry—meld with subtle cocoa, clove, and soft oak spice, while the underlying smoke adds structure without harshness.

Finish:
Long, warming, and balanced, with lingering smoky spice, gently tannic red fruit, and a faint echo of citrus peel that carries through with depth and finesse.

Quick Overview