Dining

First pour: Whisky 1901 Ledger Series is a hand-picked single cask tour of key Scottish distilleries

Matt Chambers with Whisky 1901 launch

Premium indie bottler Whisky 1901 has expanded its portfolio with The Ledger Series, an intriguing new collection of single-cask Scotch whiskies that showcase the character, provenance and individuality of some of Scotland’s best-known distilleries. 

Founded as a cask investment business, Whisky 1901 is widening its orbit with a range of carefully selected age-statement releases, each chosen to reflect its distillery’s house style and maturation journey. 

The Ledger launch comprises six bottlings, ranging from 11 to 21 years old, from Miltonduff, Dailuaine, Tamnavulin, Ardmore, Glen Garioch and Invergordon.

The series follows the company’s ultra-premium Collection range, which includes the award-winning 35-year-old Glenburgie (£1,325) and a 25-year-old Jura (£500). 

“When it came to creating the Ledger Series, from the 40 odd samples before me, there were three things I was looking for,” explains Matt Chambers, Master of Whisky at Whisky 1901. “Does the whisky reflect that distillery’s character and regional style? Does it show off the cask maturation to the best of its ability? And does it hit the sweet spot? These six really shone through.”

The Luxe Review attended the London launch of the range, at SushiSamba, one of the first accounts to take on the bottles, and sampled each expression. We discover a line-up that offers a fascinating snapshot of Scotland’s whisky landscape.

There’s definitely something here for everyone. Read on to discover our favourite…

The Ledger launch includes whiskies from Miltonduff, Dailuaine, Tamnavulin, Ardmore, Glen Garioch and Invergordon…

Whisky 1901 Ledger Series tasting notes

The Ledger Series takes its name from traditional whisky record-keeping. Each bottling is intended to document a particular cask’s journey. All carry age statements, and are bottled at natural cask strength.

First in the glass is the Tamnavulin Aged 13 Years, so we’re in classic Speyside (Whtye & Mackay) territory. Distilled in 2013 and matured in ex-bourbon casks, it’s bottled at a punchy 58.2% ABV and limited to 186 bottles. Sweet toffee notes lead on the nose, while vanilla custard, pepper and spice emerge across the palate. A splash of water reveals green apple and pear notes, bringing additional freshness. Bright gold in colour, it’s a delicious buy at £155.

We follow with the single grain Invergordon 21 Year Old. Matured in ex-bourbon casks, it’s bottled at 56.3% ABV, with 297 samples available, priced at £145. The liquid presents a delicate nose before opening into tropical fruit flavours on the palate. A creamy mouthfeel lends it a lush richness, while its pale appearance reflects gentle maturation. 

The Dailuaine Aged 12 Years is one of the more intriguing offerings in the range. It’s a known Diageo workhorse malt used heavily in blends, including Johnnie Walker (where it’s valued for its body and weight), and this ex-bourbon cask release showcases this muscular nature. Bottled at 50.1% ABV and limited to 117 bottles, it offers aromas of vanilla and raisins before developing a dab of liquorice on the palate. It sells for £125.

Next up we have the Miltonduff Aged 18 Years. This Speyside distillery is a celebrated supplier to Ballantine’s and Chivas Regal, but it’s rare to find a single malt from this distillery, in the wild, at this age – especially from a sherry cask.  Its deep copper-gold colour indicative of the richness within. It arrives at 52.1% ABV, and is limited to just 180 bottles. It opens with the sweetness you’d expect of its sherry-aging, but there’s a tannic grip that adds structure and depth. Priced at £160.

Arguably the stand-out bottling in the collection is the Glen Garioch Aged 11 Years. Distilled in 2014 and matured in ex-bourbon casks, it arrives at 57.1% ABV, with only 137 bottles available. Dark chocolate dominates the nose, while the palate offers malt, raisins and cocoa notes. It’s a robust, comforting dram, reminiscent of malted drinks and chocolate-covered fruit. Deep gold in colour, it’s listed at £125.

Following the tasting we tried this dram in an espresso martini, and it was quite the digestif…

Finally, for peat enthusiasts, the Ardmore Aged 12 Years is also not to be missed. Distilled in 2013 and matured in ex-bourbon casks, it’s a brawny 58.1% ABV. The smoke is distinctly Highland in style, sweet and fragrant rather than medicinal. Floral notes sit alongside the peat, creating a whisky of balance and finesse. Pale lemon in colour and limited to 235 bottles, it sells for a whiffy £150.

The Whisky 1901 Ledger Series is available now through the official Whisky 1902 site. Prices range from £125. Quantities are limited.

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK