ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ม.ค. 2023
- I'm tasting the Ledaig Rioja Cask Finish today. This is the newest edition to their range, out in 2020, and it's become quite a fan favourite since. 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
Music: freemusicarchive.org/music/Sh...
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At the beginning I was thinking people were going to roast you for the pronunciation and then you leaned into it lmao. Well done.
😂😂😂
You had me at sunken treasure chest. I'm here strictly for the box reads. BTW I see Tshirts are BACK! 👍
Well done today, sir. Here's another one I need to get my hands on! I'm always on the lookout for a high-quality, budget-friendly, bang-for-buck bottle. God, I love hyphenated words. And alliteration.
Such a fun dram. The Ledaig peat and the red fruits of the Rioja cask are a perfect foil for each other. Amazing value too!
Couldn't agree more. Fun is the key word! 🥃
I really liked the longer intro to this video Geoff. I love me some context.
And really nice review. 👌 I like it when you combine specific flavors (blackberry, blueberry) with feely and emotional experience (coastal, loud… and rambunctious of course)
I knew you will like this one when recommend you it months ago. Now i see you love it( your bottle is almost done) like myself. For me its beauty in a bottle. I like and rate Rioja and 10 same like you. They both are two sides of one coin for me. Love all from Ledaig andcat this price Rioja is a steal. Whisky dont have to be expensive to be decent. Well done Ledaig. Well done Goeff. Another craicy funny review i really enjoyed. After long blue monday i get some smile for the rest of this evening. Cheers 😁🥂🙋🏻♂️
Hello Geoff,
Nice to finally see that Bottle found its Way to your Review Table. 😉
I love this Expression of Ledaig since the last 2 Years. In the Past Christmas Time i finished my third Bottle of it and it wont be the Last.
Thanks for Reviewing this and for Sharing your Thoughts and Opinion as well 😜
Well past midnight here but I had to give this video a view before bed. I've always loved Ledaig but I've ignored this one for a long time because like you I don't usually get on well with wine casks. What a mistake! This stuff is great and priced exactly right. I'm glad you get those cheesy notes too. I certainly do and I think they pair with the Rioja very well. I'm looking forward to seeing what else we get from the Sinclair 'Series'. If anything... Honestly it's been a while now! IMHO things like this are what we are always promised from NAS but rarely get. Superb distillate and cask forward whisky that's mature enough at a slightly lower price. Great review 🥃
Great review Geoff. One of my best discoveries from last year. Now the best selling whisky in my local shop.
Not surprising. Incredible value. Hard not to like this one! 🥃
This one is so fun. Very interesting on the palate. I think it really benefit from opening with 20+ minutes in the glass. Cheers
I have to say, I didn't realise it had been around since 2020. It seems to be getting a lot of attention at the moment. I have a bottle on its way, so looking forward to cracking into it. Your videos are making me laugh more and more with the little asides. Keep it up.
Hah thanks man! Appreciate it! 🥃
bought one myself, looking forward to try it!
Hope you enjoy! 🥃
Glad you liked it Geoff! We did a Ledaig night where we tasted Rioja, 10, GM 12, 18 and 18 Small Batch Spanish Oak. The 10 and Rioja received the same score, just below the 18 and one above the 18 Spanish Oak. Says a lot for a NAS whisky.
It does indeed! Really fun stuff at a great price... always happy to have this one on the shelf! 🥃
Hey Geoff! Most welcome review of a bottle that made quite a buzz recently. Two weeks ago I bought maybe the last bottle of it available in Bulgaria. It was on special sale and I paid roughly 34 euros for it. The regular price was roughly 41 euros. The 10 yo goes for around 43.50 euros but currently it is out of stock everywhere I shop. Doesn't bother me, because I have a spare bottle in the stash. I haven't tasted the 18 yo yet. It was priced at roughly 117 euros and it is also out of stock. I don't dare to predict what it is going to cost when it comes back in stock. Love the 10 yo and given the generally positive feedback the Rioja Cask Finish release gets I'm pretty sure I'll like it too.
Cheers!
Top review!!
Thanks! 🥃
Great review. Sounds like a whisky I would like.
Worth trying and pretty low risk considering the price! 🥃
Hi Geoff,
Great review, you are really on fire.
Sometimes it is not an issue to be late at the party, you entered with a bang.
Enjoyed this one myself very much also.
Really something different, definitely something to try out.
For sure when you are a Ledaig fan.
Better than the 10? Hard to say. Just another great Ledaig.
Hah thanks buddy. It's a close one for me, but I do only slightly prefer the Rioja. Then again, I'd be happy with literally any Ledaig in front of me. Cheers! 🥃
Great review Geoff. I've just passed the halfway point on my first bottle and am really loving it. I think I'll have to order a replacement quickly: I'm worried your good review might have the same effect as one of ralfys.
Hah, I think you're overestimating me there. Thanks for watching, and glad to hear you're enjoying it! 🥃
I am currently sipping a Ledaig Sinclair Series Rioja Cask Finish, which I consider even superior to the 10yo
The Ledaig 10 leaves a strong briny sensation in my mouth, while the Rioja Cask Finish seems to be more balanced and rich, despite being younger. The balance between sweet, smoky and salty sensations is almost perfect! Not to talk about the affordable price...
I prefer the Rioja, too. Incredible value for a beautiful whisky. 🥃
For a Tobermory distillery fan boy, never tried this but done a few indi bottles. As you say the 10 and 18 are top notch, so I might have to try this.
At its price it looks like a winner ,nice one plank of wood ;-)
Hello,
thank's for the detailed Whisky presentation, I enjoyed it 👌😉
Have a nice day and best wishes,
Martin Neulen 😎
from Bielefeld / Germany
Kind words. Thanks very much for watching! Cheers! 🥃
@@Gwhisky
Slainté 🥃
I prefer the rioja, too. Cheers Geoff!
Hah great! Cheers!
Only the 10 is available in Houston Texas.
I think I would like this whisky... Ledaig peat balanced with sweet wine influences has to be a winner!
I was worried it might be too sweet or unbalanced, but it works really well. Ledaig knows what they're doing! 🥃
Another great watch G. But I can't help thinking, much like myself, you're a tad unhinged and should probably be on some of the same meds as I am😉🤣 I have Ledaig 10, so I should really pull my finger out and review it. Cheers mate.
Thanks buddy! Just a tad? 😂
So I cracked this open a couple of weeks ago and I realise that I’m a picky bastard:
The Ledaig 10 is a lil’ bit too smoky for me. This Rioja finish is so smooth and well balanced, but maybe it’s tamed the peat just a bit too much. I find it delicious and easy drinking but I’m missing something.
…after another dram, I think it’s the ABV: maybe I’ve just spoiled my palette with cask-strength whiskies.
I bought this a few weeks back after listening to an interview with Brendan McCarron, master distiller at Distell’s Bunnahabhain, Deanston and Tobermory. I haven’t tried it but very much looking forward to do. Seems like there will not be any “series” to the Sinclair. Only Rioja in the planning. It was so good they decided to stay with that.
That's disappointing. Was hoping they could keep it going. Thanks for the info, buddy!
Just finished the first bottle my wife bought for my birthday after it being a punt on the back of tasting the 18 and loving the 10.
I may have bought 4 more for the stash... 😳
I'd agree, I personally prefer this to the 10, marginally.
Try Bill Phil by W.D. O'Connell Whiskey Merchants, if you can get it. I was blown away. Up there with the spot range from Midleton Distillery in terms of class. Peat demon 😈 much much more than a monster. Keep up the excellent reviews 👍
i have both the 10 as well as this Rioja version. They are remarkable, i like them both equally , just depending on my mood
Agree! Bot top notch! 🥃
Love the 10. Just ordered one of this, gonna be fun to try. Here in Sweden the price is 522skr (46 euro)
That's a fair price. Hope you enjoy, my friend! 🥃
great price.
Glad that I am not the only one who can't pronouce Ledaig. Steller review as always Geoff and think it is a perfect swap in and out with the 10 (this one may edge it for me though).
Hah nice. Yeah I might prefer this one, too! 🥃
Think it is a great whisky especially for the price, 45 euro in Sweden. Has reviewed it as well but not post it yet:)
I've yet to try this one and as you shared I used to not be a fan of wine finished whisky. However the Ledaig 9 yr Bordeaux changed my mind as that malt is simply fantastic. I was particularly hesitant since it is Bordeaux aged and not just a finish, but it seems Tobermory worked their magic and created something really special. It does run about the same price as the 18 which is a bit high, but absolutely worth it in my opinion. I'd like to try the Rioja but I might be spoiled since I have so many CS Ledaigs in my collection (especially older ones) that are among my favorites. Anyway I hope you are able to review the 9 yr Bordeux and it would be interesting to see it side by side with this one.
I'd love to try that Bordeaux. You can count me in on pretty much any Ledaig release. I don't think I've seen it in my market, unfortunately. 🥃
Have you come across a whisky dryer then ledaig 10? Thanks
Not really a wine finish fan but the cost is reasonable
Nor am I, usually. This one works for me. 🥃
Heard their master distiller Brendan McCarron say on the Whisky Talk podcast that it was supposed to be a series but he loved this expression so much that it is going to be in the core line up now. And nothing planned to follow in the 'series'.
That's sad to hear. Hopes were quite high after tasting this one. Thanks for the info, buddy! 🥃
I prefer this to the 10, is just really explosive but still balanced between the peat and the Rioja sweetness
Totally fair. I prefer this one, but the 10 is absolutely beautiful too. 🥃
Thanks for the review! May I ask where you found it in Taiwan (and how much NTD)? Didn't see it in any store. Cheers
This was from 9city. It seems that their stocks are thinning out, but you might still be able to find it. I believe it's around NTD 1200. 🥃
Peaty Rosè with the burn and mouthfeel of a young whisky. Never tasted anything like it before. The 10 is better but I think this is a more interesting drink.
I chose pick this one up over the classic 10 because I tend to enjoy a wine finish
I'm sure you won't be disappointed! 🥃
Hi
I love Ledaig 10 looking for something similar but dryer then the ledaig 10 .thank you
Rioja producers typically use American oak for aging so you'd think it'd be complimentary to the initial ex-bourbon casks. An actual Rioja is not sweet though (La Rioja Alta - Viña Ardanza or López de Heredia - Viña Tondonia are both classics and worth the extra money).
It's actually a true story about the sunken (exploded) Spanish ship (San Juan de Sicilia) at the Isle of Mull and there's some fun history. Whether it had gold is debatable. Why this series is called Sinclair...I couldn't say.
I have no doubt there is a sunken ship.
I've tried Rioja wines before, but I don't know enough about wine to have any comments about them aside from the fact that they were nice.
Nice review G. What do you think of its value compared to 10 yo? It costs about 50 usd in Korea (10 yo is $ 80-90). I wonder if it tastes too young and peat is harmonious with Rioja cask influence.
If it's cheaper than the 10 then I would definitely get this. Same quality as far as Im concerned, and I consider this to be a balanved whisly, albeit on the sweeter side. Seems the 10 is overpriced in Korea.
Nice review for this amazing whisky !
2:40 Are you sur is natural color ?
No mentioned anywhere in the bottle or box !
The brand has switched to natural colour across their entire line. However, if your bottle is from a few years back, it might have been coloured.
@@Gwhisky Mine is 2022 . So I suppose is natural color even is not signaled !
That was fun. Because of the funny parts, well done. I ordered that whisky instantly in the face of all logic (nemesis etc.) Hmm. What am I doing? There's something weird going on in my mind.
Hah well nemesis or not I hope you enjoy it, man! 🥃
@@Gwhisky At first I watched your channel out of defiance ("What is this smug talking about?" WTF, 91 for (insert: any whisky you like and I dislike) that rubbish?"), carrying out my "nemesis-mission". But now I must confess: I like it very much, your style grew on me. The inclusion of humor also helped. Still there is a whisky to be found we both praise. Tomorrow I'll lay my hands on this Ledaig with no real hopes (-:
@@Gwhisky As suspected: Not my cup of tea because of that unrefined smoke I don't appreciate (Caol Ila, Bruichladdich, Ledaig, BenRiach, all the same to me). But at least I noticed the cheeselike nose, which before (Ledaig 10) I missed, and the excellent wine cask-induced finish reconciles me with my purchase.
Great to hear what you really sound like…
😂😂😂
@@Gwhisky and obviously the video was really good as always. Love this particular whisky. No age statement is the future, people better start getting used to it.
I had an Edradour 8 year Rioja cask and it was fine. As it sat in the bottle the wine notes seemed to have become more muted.
Hmm. I'll have to keep an eye on how this one develops. Cheers. 🥃
I'm curious how this expression stands against the Highland Park Twisted Tattoo that is also a Rioja finished whisky...
Thanks for a great review in itself, Geoff. The whisky is not for me due to the finish....
...great! So it is something for others to enjoy. In the meantime I stick to boring bourbon mstured.
Slàinte mhath
Hah I tend to share your preferences, generally, but I do (often) make exceptions. This was a very welcome one. Cheers!
Sounds like a Longrow Red ... yeah or nay? Either way, it is on my shopping list. 😉 Cheers!
I can't say I've tried a Longrow Red, but peat and wine... could be some similarities there! 🥃
Great Review Geoff, i stumbled upon this whisky last year, i wasn't expecting much, but i loved it, speciallly at its price. Btw, i dont't know if You already reviewed the 18yo, it has become one of my favorite 18yo. I do invite you to check my reviews on my humble IG feed.Cheers bud!!
I absolutely LOVE the Ledaig 18. One of the best 18s for sure! Just followed your IG! 🥃
Thanks Geoff, really appreciate it
On a lighter note, as a nonnative English speaker, here’s how I see your specs graphic:
Abv 46% or higher: check! ( as in “it is 46% or higher”)
Chill filtration: check! ( as in “ there is chill filtration “)
Color: check! ( as in “there is color “)
🤷🏼♂️😁
Damn I should actually make that clearer! 🥃
I honestly prefer this to the 18 😮 please don’t kill me
Heresy! 😉
hard to find in my market. Any idea on the age of the spirit, and low long in wine casks?
No idea about the age, unfortunately. But I don't get any sharpness or youth from it. Old enough imo! 🥃
How does this compare with the bunnahabhain 12 or the glendronach 12?
I'd put it on par with the Bunna for bang-for-buck quality, and I'd put it well ahead of the GlenDronach.
I just recently got into the world of peated whisky after trying Talisker 10 and Bowmore 12, which I both liked, and Lagavulin 16, which I liked the most actually haha
So I bought a bottle of Talisker 10 and my second bottle was Ledaig 10, recommended by so many including you and Ralfy. And woah it smelt like sucking my leather jacket! (taste was not as strong though) Maybe my peat borderline so far is Talisker.
So my question is, is this one as peated as Ledaig 10? Lightly peated wine cask finish sounds great but maybe I’m a little ‘peat scared’ right now after the 10! Or do you some other good ones to recommend to a peat newbie like me?
And thanks again for a great review! Your review formula is my favorite out of several whisky reviewers I watch on TH-cam!
Well if you're into lighter peat stuff like Talisker is right in the middle. Ledaig stuff will pretty much always be stronger. I'd say in terms of peat level the Rioja is about as peated as the 10, although it might not come across that way thanks to the strong fruity notes and forward cask influence.
When I'm looking for gently peated stuff, I usually turn to Ardnamurchan, Yoichi, or even Highland Park. Caol Ila tends to be quite gentle for an Islay whisky. Hope that helps. Cheers Juntae. Appreciate the kind words. 🥃
@@Gwhisky In my market (South Korea) Ardnamurchan is not available and probably Yoichi being a Japanese whiskey is priced ridiculously high but I’ll check out the rest! And you reviewed/liked Benromach 10 too right? Maybe I should take that into consideration. Thanks a lot for helping out along the journey Geoff!
@Juntae Lee Shocked that I didn't think to mention Benromach in my last reply. You should absolutely check them out. There's a CS 12 year old that's available in some Asian markets... I'm not sure if that one's sold in Korea. Fantastic stuff. Otherwise the regular CS or the 15 are incredible whiskies. 🥃
Normally, I have some smart-ass comment to get a laugh, but today I have a serious question...Do you happen to know what the bulge in the neck of whisky bottles is for? Ledaig doesn't do it, and neither does Bruchladdich, but Springbank, Lagavulin, and others have a bulge in the bottleneck. I asked Reddit, and no one seems to know for sure, so I was wondering if you knew.👍🥃
Argh, I get so envious when there's something everyone like that I don't. I've only tried a sample bottle of Ledaig 10 that I bought. I only taste ash from it, and not much more. Not good, in other words. So when people recommend the 18 or something else from Ledaig I cannot bring myself to spend the money on it. Still, it sounds so good when people that like them describe them :)
Hah well I suppose it can be frustrating when you feel like the odd man out, but good on you for being honest about what you like!
Just interested do you like powerful peated whisky ?
@@gareth630 To be fair, I haven't liked many very peated whiskies at all. Laphroaig (10, quarter) I can enjoy, but other than that I only really like Highland Park (CS, Dragon legend) when it comes to peaty - and they arent that peaty. Tried around 30 very peated ones. Wont stop trying though
@@mormorgranat Haha fair play 30 peated tried yet you like the Laphroaig
I can only say try Longrow (gold label ) if you can find it, good luck on you're quest 🙂
Ordered a bottle tonight chamon'
Nice! 🥃
This is one of my favorites, but it has doubled in price since I first had it last year. Sucks that it's so hard to get in the US at a reasonable price.
Ouch! That sucks!
This one, 89 for me. The 10 is 91.
Funny thing is Rioja is around 50-60 usd while the 10 is around 90-100 usd here in Korea. How much did you pay for this?
I paid roughly USD $40 for this, which is about the same as the price from the big online UK retailers. 🥃
Never tried there whisky which one would you pick for me to get started on
If you don't mind sweet, I'd try this. If you like a more traditional peaty profile the 10 is a great place to start. 🥃
Thanks its £33 here in England after your review looking forward to trying it
Have you tried new whisky from new zealand called POKENO there whisky
@liamclarke5006 we don't get much from Australia or NZ here. Never heard of them, actually.
D Ledaig Sinclair 'Rioja' cask is definitely better than d 10year old,btw,how much is it in Taiwan?,ask a friend to buy me a couple of bottles,more power to your channel!
Thanks for the kind words! I bought this for NT $1200, which is about USD $40. Cheers!
Best value NAS whisky ever? Could be
Could be! 🥃
At first i thought it was too swift so i let it rest for a few weeks and added a little water.
Turns out it's much better now.
Better
I like it but it is obviously very young whisky. The 10 runs circles around it IMHO.
It’s pronounced ree-o-ha (the “o” is like the o in on)… ;)
It’s nothing to do with Brasil.
It's spelled "Brazil." 😉
@@Gwhisky haha good one
Not in Portuguese it’s not. But it is a tricky dilemma deciding when to anglicise and when not to.
I still can’t get a lot of Gaelic whisky names right LOL.
This is definitely a whisky.
Lol it sure is! Clearly you're a massive fan. 😂
What have you done to your hair? 😂
Lol cut it?
It's the Singaporean Ah Beng haircut.
Hahaha 😂
This tastes like burnt popcorn and wine.
Great review as always! However forget Ledaig it is your pronunciation of Rioja that was killing me 😂: th-cam.com/video/ODIvgGZz5NQ/w-d-xo.html.
Couldn't care less tbh. It's always something.
There are NOTHING BETTER!!!! than Ledaig 10 years. Clear?.
Passionate.
Geoff, I for one disagree with your enthusiastic review. On the nose I found it to have a predominantly alcoholic note. On the palate I found it to be mostly bitter. No sweetness. Medicine-like bitterness, yes. Mouth feel is very nice. Decided to not even keep the bottle.
Ouch!
NO! It is pronounced - Le -chayg - (or "chaig"). That's how!
"Nikolaj"
@@Gwhisky why you little
I wonder how much grief he has gotten for how he pronounced Ledaig?
We've moved on. It's my "Rioja" now. 😂
Damn straight, I wince every time I hear your Rio-nahhh stop LOL
I've haven't seen this where I am yet, but the combo of peat-smoke and ex-red wine casks tends to work really well from past experience (See: Springbank RED).
Or Port Charlotte PAC!
@@Gwhisky Haven't tried that one either.