Scotland, Isle of Mull. Distillery operational. Owner: Burn Stewart Distillers, Distell.

Founded in 1798, the Isle of Mull's only distillery was, from 1972 to 1975, known as Ledaig, before being renamed Tobermory. From this now confidently assumed dual identity came two single malts with two completely different profiles. Whilst such a difference can result from different distillation methods, in this case it primarily comes down to whether or not the malt is peated. The Tobermory malt therefore becomes either Ledaig (Mr Hyde) when expressing its heavily peated, mysterious side, or Tobermory (Dr Jekyll) when revealing its more accessible, unpeated and easy-going profile. This, alongside maturations that veer from one extreme (first fill Oloroso) to another (refill bourbon), provides a glimpse of just some of what this multi-faceted distillery has to offer.Whether you prefer Ledaig or Tobermory, one thing is certain, the 1972 vintage aged in a first-fill sherry cask is in a category of its own. Whether in a distillery version or independent bottling, these expressions go through the ceiling when released for sale. Collectors take note!

A single cask Ledaig (#10029) distilled in 2004 and bottled in 2017 for the Single Malts of Scotland range, matured in a hogshead. The Single Malts of Scotland was created in 2005 by Elixir Distillers (formerly Specialty Drinks), the independent bottler founded by The Whisky Exchange in 1999. The range features single casks and small batch bottlings. Elixir Distillers’’ other ranges include Elements of Islay and Port Askaig. A limited edition of 292 bottles.