Yesterday which is the past, we checked out the ‘Past Future’ bottling from ‘The Future of Whisky’ trio which was bottled for the 10th Whisky Show last month in London.

Today (which is the present, yes?), we’re checking the ‘Present Future’ bottling. This Ledaig 12 Year Old (also from Sherry Butt), represent “what we presently think the future will be”.

So they think that big, flavourful smoky whiskies will be prominent and popular in the near future.

But there’s a slight problem with this assumption as 10-12 Year Old sherried Ledaig bottles are already very popular within large (and fast growing) whisky drinkers audience for the last few years, but if we’re talking about their plans to conquer the world, it may explain it.

This specific Ledaig was charged from a Sherry Butt that yielded 636 bottles at 58.4% (and some bottles are still available to purchase at the time I write this post), lets check it out!

Ledaig 12 Year Old ‘The Future of Whisky – Present Future’ (58.4%, £79.95)

Nose: Strong sweet earthy peat smoke, Very Ledaig-y peat profile. Salty, sea breeze and waves on beach, sweet dried fruit and dried sour berries lurks behind the smoke screen and then comes the chocolate. After a few minutes it’s nuttier, tarry and with more chocolate-y and sweetness.

Palate: Peat, burnt wood smoke, bonfire smoke, tar followed by ashes, salty, BBQ meat, nutmeg, sour berries filled dark chocolate and sweet espresso.

Finish: Sweet peat smoke, dried fruit and lemon in the throat, nutmeg and lots of dark chocolate.

Thoughts: A flattering whisky. This Ledaig is going in grand style with big-time flavors, easy drinking,  good sweet sherry and smoke balance, what’s more do one need? However, I do have one gripe and it’s the burnt wood smoke note here. This specific note is a real downer for me so I’m less enthusiastic than on some other Ledaigs. Nevertheless, this is still a very good and tasty whisky (and even magnificent if you love that burnt wood note).