Lagavulin 16 Year

Visual: very slow, thin, and widely spaced legs. Amber in color. Nosing: smoky and peaty for sure. Reminiscent of charcoal embers. Not nearly as intense as Ardbeg. Vanilla and oak follow. Candied apple hits the back of the nose. A general fruitiness present also. Tasting: strong smoke off the bat. Present in the finish. Lots of body (oily). The smoke lingers after the finish. Also finishes dry. Top palate gets aged oak. Briney. Smooth. Reduced Nosing: more fruitiness comes through. Maybe because I'm enveloped in the smoke, very little comes through. Reduced Tasting: I notice more sweetness as I sit with this dram. Reminds me of if sea spray and campfire smoke on a rainy day [personal note]. Less complex than I originally thought; but a good dram doesn't always have to be overly complex!

Nose: Initial smoke presents as savory and briny, reminiscent of a fantastic grill. With further assessment, the impact of Bourbon and Sherry becomes apparent. Notes of vanilla, honey, caramel, and tree fruits mingle with raisin and a hint of oceanic brine. Palate: Smoke here is somewhat smokier and damper, less pronounced than on the nose. Vanilla and caramel emerge after the first wave of smoke. Delightful oak spices are present. Raisins, sharp apple, and brine provide a well-rounded character to this drink. Finish: Extended and rich, a hallmark of maturity. Smoke and apple flavors linger on the palate for an impressive duration. Summary: An exceptionally tasty and harmonious serving. Its esteemed position in the spirits community is well-earned. A must-try for any whisky enthusiast.

Nose: Intense peat smoke, pepper, and underlying fruit jam. Palate: Oily, rich, and savory. Then suddenly sweet and fruity. Astonishing complexity and very difficult to categorize. Its balance is powerfully striking. Finish: The smoke dissipates, leaving a seemingly endless sherry presence. This is likely one of the most talked-about single malts, and deservedly so. As a Canadian, I'd compare it to a Montreal smoked meat sandwich on rye with Saskatoon berry jam. A combination that doesn't exist, but perhaps it should. As noted, this is my first time trying it alongside a dram of Arran Barrel Reserve, which was good, but as a certain manager would say, "This is next-level stuff, mate." Cheers.

ASTOUNDING! Upon opening the bottle, the peat gently greets you. It slowly reveals itself step by step. I let it sit for 10 minutes after opening to get some air, and then BAM - it's far from just a peaty whisky. Grass, earth, meat skin, ripe fruits, honey, whoa, whoa, whoa. Beautiful. It's as complex on the palate as it is on the nose. Every single time I taste it, it's like I discover more. Peaty meat, incredibly oven-baked lamb steak, baking spices, soft red pepper, vanilla, just a hint of fruits, and a solid amount of honey to marinate the beautiful, oily meat character. More notes - folks, the more I taste it, the less smoke and the more honey I detect. Beautiful!

An intense Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Lagavulin Distillery in Islay, Scotland, produced using slow fermentation (between 55 & 75 hours) and slow distillation (around 5 hours for the first run & over 9 hours for the second), before aging for 16 years in Refill European oak casks. It has an aromatic birth with notes of Lapsang Souchong tea, peat smoke, iodine, sweet spices, creamy vanilla & sherry; while a rich & bold life adds notes of dried fruit, oak, smoke, sherry, barley-malt, cinnamon, clove, sea salt & pepper; that led to a long & spicy death with notes of Indian spices, figs & dates. March 2020 / September 2022

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Campfire, salt, wet sand. Classic Islay characteristics. Palate: Salty bread notes with a good measure of spice. Finish: Moderate warmth that persists. With a splash: A hint of oak emerges with a few drops of water. Overall: 9/10 - This is a quintessential Islay that I could likely identify blind. The finish is impressive for the lower proof, and the oak only becomes apparent with gentle encouragement. I've had this bottle for a considerable time and just realized I had never reviewed it. There's a reason Lagavulin is a recognized name, even among those who dislike Islays.