Living Souls 99 & 1 Review — The Best Value ‘Un-Age-Stated’ Ledaig You’re Not Supposed to Know About
Every now and then in this whisky world of ours, a bottle comes along that feels almost mischievous in how good it is for the price. This Living Souls 99 & 1 release is exactly that kind of troublemaker—a whisky with a story strange enough to raise eyebrows, yet with a drinking experience bold enough to silence every critic. If you arrived here searching for a Living Souls review or a Living Souls ninety-nine and one review, you’re in the right place. And trust me: this one’s worth talking about.
The Curious Story Behind Living Souls 99 & 1
Living Souls is a relatively young independent bottler with a cult-like following, built on the idea that whisky should be exciting, transparent, and—most importantly—affordable. They love playing in the shadows of bigger distilleries, bottling spirit that whispers clues but never confirms its true origins.
But with the 99 & 1 release, things got especially interesting.
The rumour—and at this point it’s more than a rumour—is that this is essentially 18-year-old Ledaig, sourced from Tobermory’s famously funky, maritime, peat-punching stills. The kicker? The blend contains 1% three-year-old grain whisky, just enough to strip it of the “single malt” label and ensure no official age statement could be printed.
Apparently the adding of the grain whisky was a mistake. But, that tiny 1% allows the price to plummet into the realm of the unbelievable. While full-fledged 18-year-old Ledaig bottles sit at triple-digit prices, this one sneaks onto shelves at a fraction of that—despite the fact that the grain portion is so small you’d struggle to pick it out even if you were really trying.
No age statement does not mean corner-cutting. If anything, this is the kind of loophole magic that makes independent bottlers so exciting: whisky that drinks far above its label, wrapped in a bit of cheeky rebellion.
This Living Souls 99 & 1 review dives straight into the heart of what makes this bottle such a standout—and why enthusiasts have been snapping it up faster than the brand can keep up.
Tasting Notes — Living Souls 99 & 1
Stats
- Age: NAS
- ABV: 46.3% (92.6 proof)
- Distillery: Unconfirmed… but come on. Ledaig, anyone?
- Chill-filtered: No
- Natural Colour: Yes
Nose
Right from the start, the whisky delivers that unmistakable coastal peat identity—a smoky, savoury wave that instantly brings Ledaig to mind. A sweet cured ham glazed with honey forms the backbone of the aroma, giving a mouthwateringly meaty character.
Then comes the fruit, a dark berry richness of blackcurrants mingling with notes of dried figs. Slowly, the more rugged elements rise: tar, iodine, and a whiff of harbour air, followed by an herbal-spiced complexity. Pepper, cardamom, cloves, and even a hint of tobacco leaf weave together in layers.
It’s a vibrant, busy, deeply satisfying nose—like stepping into a smokehouse just as someone opens a tin of blackcurrant jam.
Palate
The first sip doesn’t hesitate—it leads with a velvety honeyed sweetness, rounded and warm, joined by a splash of orange zest that brightens the whole experience.
But sweetness is just the opening act. Then the peat takes over. And when it arrives, it sings.
Expect a dense, chewy wave of tar, iodine, and that rich meatiness reminiscent of beef jerky. This is the kind of peat that feels both rugged and refined, full of maritime grit yet softened by age. You genuinely can chew on this whisky—and I mean that as the highest compliment.
The mouthfeel is full, textured, and delightfully unfiltered in character.
Finish
This is where the whisky makes its strongest argument for being almost entirely 18-year-old Ledaig. The finish goes deep, smoky, and beautifully ashy, stretching on far beyond what the price tag would ever suggest.
There’s the nostalgia of a sweater steeped in campfire smoke, interlaced with notes of fresh asphalt, cold ashes, and warm peat embers.
Yet the sweetness never disappears. It evolves—shifting from honey into something darker, richer, almost decadent: barrel-aged maple syrup that clings to the palate long after the smoke fades.
This is the kind of finish you raise an eyebrow at and mutter “Seriously? For this price?”
Food Pairing
This whisky begs to be paired with rich, fatty foods. Foie gras, duck pâté, and fatty charcuterie are natural companions. Even something humble like a handful of smoked almonds works wonders, amplifying the savoury smokiness.
For dessert pairings, go bold: salted caramel ice cream topped with pecan brittle plays beautifully with the peat-sweet interplay of the 99 & 1. The contrast is addictive.
Verdict — Living Souls 99 & 1
Strengths
Everything about this whisky screams aged peated malt. The nose is huge and layered, the palate is punchy yet elegant, and the finish is the kind that makes you pause mid-sentence.
If you love bold flavours backed by maturity, nuance, and smoky intensity, you will not be disappointed. At around $65, this bottle is nothing short of a steal. It doesn’t just compete with official 18-year-old releases—it embarrasses a few of them.
Weaknesses
If you’re the type who absolutely needs an age statement on your bottle or insists on the words “single malt,” then yes, the 1% grain might bother you. The fact that this tiny amount legally strips the bottle of those terms is an unfortunate technicality.
But the other 99%? Pure Ledaig 18 magic.
Personally, I’m all about flavour—and flavour is exactly what this delivers. When you pour this for friends, the taste will impress far more than any number stamped on glass.
Final Thoughts
Whether you found this article searching for the Living Souls 99 & 1 review, a general Living Souls review, or a Living Souls ninety-nine and one review, the takeaway is simple: don’t sleep on this bottle. It’s rebellious, delicious, and outrageously good value—a whisky that proves age statements aren’t the only way to signal greatness.
If you want it, buy it now. Then savour it slowly. Bottles like this don’t stay cheap—or available—forever.
