Meeting Chorlton Whisky with Ledaig and Nc’nean
Chorlton Whisky is a bottler you might recognise from just looking at the bottles. Their labels are perhaps one of the most beautiful in the industry. Because I did not know anything more about this bottler, I reached out and got a friendly reply from David Bennet, the one man operation behind Chorlton. Here in his own words: ‘Chorlton got going in a tentative way around 2018, and it’s still a very small one-man operation. I think it may be the only independent bottler with a single person doing everything from selecting casks and designing labels to shipping orders. The philosophy has always been to try and bottle whiskies that I would like to drink, and at prices that I would find reasonable as a drinker. I do try to release a variety of styles, but since I’m the one picking casks the selection does tend to lean towards my personal preferences for spirit- rather than cask-driven drams, and I always tend to drift in a Highlandsy/Islandsy direction.’
Thanks for that, David! And also thanks to my good friend Robbert who never leaves me wanting for more whisky. Robert gave me two samples of bottlings done by Chorlton. I am particularly looking forward to tasting the Nc’nean sample. A most naked version, true to David’s words indeed, no silly wine influences, just a cask forward approach.
Nc’nean 7 years old, bottled at 57,9 % abv by Chorlton Whisky
First things first: This first fill barrel produced 243 bottles of Nc’nean, the small operation of founder Annebel Thomas on the Movern peninsula. Bottled in 2025.
Upon Sipping: Crispy fresh on vanilla and a brand new vase of flowers. A light hint of sea water standing still in a puddle while being warmed by the sun. Some sunflower oil. With time, the glass starts smelling like warm bread just out of the oven. Lovely! The arrival on the palate is rather grassy, before the vanilla and light wood notes take over. The whisky is incredibly muscular at this high strength. A good, solid body, with an oily mouthfeel. Water will do it good. Hints of wet pavement now, but more or less the same vibe, with the addition of green apple skin. The palate has taken a turn down a more bitter route. Lots of ginger, thick honey, waxiness in abundance. Only when you manage the balance out the abv to a more gentle, drinkable strength, does the vanilla bring a more fruity character. But in general, this is quite austere. This is typically such a spirit that can mature easily for over 20 years before it starts unfolding all its secrets.
Word to the Wise: A tour de force for now, with wonderful austerity. It sounds cliche, but I am looking forward to seeing Nc’nean mature way past the (at least) 15 years mark. It shows all the potential, while also already delivering as it is. It has not arrived yet, but this is a daring selection by Chorlton Whisky!
Score: 84 points.
Ledaig 12 years old, bottled at 55,5 % abv by Chorlton Whisky
First things first: This was bottled a few years ago already, in September 2021. This Ledaig was distilled on 6 May 2009 and matured in a refill hogshead. It produced 311 bottles for a UK release.
Upon Sipping: We just published a Tobermory blog last weekend, so why not start this week with a Ledaig? Quite a pure one! A rather modest but very multi-layered peat approach here. Soft and gentle, but unmistakable there. Some lemons, some ashes, hints of firewood. Squeezing lemon on fresh fish skin. Indeed an island whisky! Quite a silky malt to take on the tongue, but we already feel the peat smouldering. The finish is just excellent, overloading with overripe smoked lemons. The balance on this single cask is just astounding. This Ledaig does not need water, but we are curious what will happen. Not that much, maybe it becomes a tad more medicinal, but that’s it. The taste is even more scrumptious now, kippers with salt and lemon, all very clean and bright. The finish is exciting and more-ish.
Word to the Wise: A complex and balanced Ledaig that at the same time you can easily pour a glass of as a daily dram. Elegant island whisky!
Score: 90 points.