Lagavulin 14 Year (2024 Islay Jazz Festival)

Aroma: Darjeeling tea, a hint of oolong tea, white grapes, a touch of vanilla, sea air, and distant campfire smoke. The aroma is extremely restrained when neat (initially, I detected very little) but opens up significantly with a small addition of water. It also requires time to settle after dilution, and I was pleased to have a sample to enjoy at my leisure after the distillery tour. Scored 85/100 Taste: The initial taste is gently fruity (white grapes, gooseberries) and smoky, with an excellent equilibrium between salty and sweet elements. Initially, there are no sharp spice notes, and very little alcohol burn considering the 56.1% ABV. The smoke intensifies as the taste develops, but the palate remains very light until water is added. Doing so brings out ginger and white pepper, but these spices complement rather than overpower the initial profile, providing balance. This is a very composed and confident palate with a creamy texture. Scored 87/100 Finish: Medium length. Peat smoke, white fruits, white grapes, and a hint of brine. The aftertaste is crisply fruity with lingering light smoke. Scored 86/100 This is a delicate, elegant, yet almost fragile Lagavulin with an unusually light dryness. It brought to mind a yeasty, crisp, dry white wine. It was aged for 10 years in first-fill bourbon casks, then spent 4 years in old oak puncheons before a few months of finishing in South African Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks. This final wood treatment is the most intriguing aspect, as I would have sworn it was matured in Sauvignon Blanc casks. Both the aroma and taste strongly suggest "white wine," yet the casks previously held a red wine. Perhaps the short duration of the spirit's time in these casks played a role, or maybe the red wine itself was particularly fruity and dry. It's uncertain. I found this to be a delightful whisky, and I was undecided between selecting it or the 2022 Distillers Edition as my favorite from the post-tour tasting, hence they both received the same score. It is still available directly from the distillery for £240; otherwise, it would likely be found on the secondary market. Given the potentially exorbitant price on the secondary market, it's difficult to recommend this to anyone other than a dedicated Lagavulin enthusiast, despite it being a very commendable whisky. Tasted at Lagavulin Distillery as the final dram of a post-tour flight on April 17, 2025. Rating: “Very Good”: 86/100 (4 stars)

Tasting The aroma is wonderful and aligns perfectly with the smoky flavor and a distinct finish that fully saturates the mouth, enhancing the overall pleasantness.