Kilchoman Machir Bay vs Ledaig 10

[cdn_dram]

Getting close to finishing my bottle of Laphroaig quarter cask and will need another peaty malt to take its place.

I've tried the usual suspects outside Laphroaig 10 so thinking one of these will be potential picks.

Read good reviews on the Machir Bay. Not much info on the Ledaig but both appear to be 46%/nc/ncf.

What would be your choice?

[James T]

The Ledaig 10 is ok, a little bit similar to the Bowmore style, so if you are a Bowmore fan you should enjoy it. The Kilchoman Machir Bay is very good, it has a touch of sherry which just makes it for me. 2 different whiskies, both worth a try, if I had to choose between them it would be the Kilchoman Machir Bay.

[Alexppp]

I'm a big fan of both - James has covered the Kilchoman quite well, but I will add that the Ledaig 10 is an underrated whisky (as is its unpeated sibling, the Tobermory 10). It's 'dirtier' in style than the cleaner and more chiselled Kilchoman if that makes any sense. You'd be happy with either one - personally, if I had to score them they'd both be in the high 80s.

[TheWM]

Alexppp and James have covered this well - I'll add my own view. I remember having my first bottle of Machir Bay and thinking 'I don't get it' given the good things that have been put out about it. But this is due to the fact I don't dig peaty numbers that have been sherried and that it was really too clinical for me. The ledaig is one to sit and get to business with. Like 3DTV. A bit overrated - much better to watch a film normally with a big screen and surround sound.

[sorren]

Both very interesting bottles and by interesting I mean my bottle of ledaig was given away as soon as I could find someone to drink it.. Of course it's all a matter of taste and you might enjoy it.. Some of the older ledaig s have been very good buy the 10 just felt so raw and bland.. The K M B on the other hand was certainly more interesting in a good way... Quite fresh and fruity and one would happily buy again..

[Alexppp]

[TheWM]

From memory I seem to recall that it had a finish to die for and a great mouthfeel, slightly oily and waxy with some maritime peat thrown into the mix. In fact I thought at the time that it could be a lovechild of Laphroaig and Aberfeldy. I need to get another bottle to remind myself

[cdn_dram]

Wow thanks all for the responses.

Big Bowmore fan here and I've really enjoyed the Quarter cask from Laphroiag.

@TheWM I have Aberfeldy 21 right now and you note about MB being a lovechild of Laphroiag and Aber would be quite interesting!

Which one has a more oily/malty note to it? On paper I find the Kilchoman a bit more interesting but Ledaig isn't too far behind.

What one has more bourbon influence?

[TheWM]

Ledaig has an oily/malty mouthfeel and is bourbon influenced, as far as I know.

[Alexppp]

Yes, Ledaig is indeed oily. As for 'bourbon-influenced', it depends what you mean by it - they're both mostly matured in bourbon casks (some sherry casks used in the Kilchoman) but I wouldn't say either one is particularly bourbon-y if you see what I mean.

[davidbe]

I love Ledaig 10. It has a citrus/brine combination that once the peat clears shines through and hits all the right notes for me.

[sorren]

I'd rather have another bottle of founders reserve than the ledaig 10 😂
But I know nothing about whisky 😂😂😉👍

[cdn_dram]

[Samson]

[opelfruit]

I think sorren is trying to be smart - epic fail


Glenlivet Founder's Reserve.


The point he is trying to make is that he'd rather have a young and (I assume in his view) below average NAS, than a bottle of ledaig 10. Implying that the ledaig 10 is not very good at all.

Personally, I like l'ivet Founder's Reserve and as sorren does point out, he knows nothing about whisky