Sinclair Series Rioja Cask Finish

The Sinclair Series honours John Sinclair, the enterprising kelp merchant who took over the lease of land that would become Ledaig in 1797. After his first application was rejected, Sinclair persevered; a year later, the distillery was established. This bottling is part of a series that showcases the distillery's willingness to experiment with different cask types.

The whisky matured first in ex-bourbon casks before finishing in ex-Rioja wine casks from northern Spain. That pairing creates an intriguing tension: Ledaig's heavy, smoky character collides with red fruit notes and the soft tannins of Spanish wine.

On the nose, rose, pepper and salt emerge alongside the distillery's signature smoke. The palate brings dried fruit and toffee, with green apple tempering the wine's sweetness. The finish is relatively light for a peated malt – pepper and smoke linger, but without a heavy hand.