Lagavulin 2002 Distillers Edition (Bottled 2018)

Nose: apricot, peach, fig, plum, musty grape, bread pudding, sweet peat, vanilla, toffee, blueberry, iodine, ash, brine, leather, sweet tobacco, nutmeg, clove, lemon, flint, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste: grilled peach, apricot, juicy pear, sour apple, sweet peat, salted caramel, vanilla, miso, cinnamon, ash, nutmeg, clove, brine, leather, dark chocolate, cola, orange zest, lemon, mild to moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with grilled fruit, sweet peat, dark chocolate, and baking spice flavors. Another day, another bottle from this distillery. Life could be worse. I requested this sample primarily to compare the 2018 bottling against the 2019 bottle I own. Secondarily, I love peat and sherry combinations, so this gives me another excuse to taste one. The nose is really nice, as I knew it would be. The smoky peat is softer than on the 16 year, allowing juicy, grilled fruits, musty grape, and bread pudding aromas to surface. The palate is solid, but it’s a step down from the nose. Interestingly, it tastes underproofed, which I don’t remember being the case with the 2019 version. Still, there are some nice sherried fruit notes, alongside ashy smoke, dark chocolate, and citrus flavors. Now for the fun part. How does this stack up against the 2019 Distiller’s Edition? They smell very similar, although the 2018 is slightly gentler. The 2019 seems to retain more of the prickliness of its initial form. The same holds for the palate. It’s an almost imperceptible difference, but for a bit more oomph through the mid palate and into the finish. And sadly, they both veer into sour territory on the finish. This is a good example of how your palate changes over time with more experiences. At one point, the 2019 Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition was my absolute favorite dram. Unfortunately, it’s not even close anymore. This is still great whiskey, but it’s no longer outstanding to me. Accordingly, I’ll be dropping my previous score for the 2019 to align with this one. A big thank you to a friend for providing the generous sample that enabled this comparison.

For those seeking a reliable, high-quality whisky without prior tasting, a Lagavulin Distiller's Edition is always a safe choice. This review covers the 2018 release, produced in 2002, maintaining the classic 16-year age statement. It's bottled at 43% ABV and boasts an amazing chestnut hue. The nose is strikingly like lemonade, with subtle hints of heather, peat, and perhaps starfruit. On the palate, distinct flavors emerge sequentially: a pronounced sherry influence, followed by prunes, then pepper and peat, with touches of toffee and salt. It's very pleasing and intricate. The aftertaste is beautiful, exhibiting refined smoke, ash, bonfire notes, and a hint of sulfur, like spent fireworks or matches. It's lovely, but primarily captivating. Overall, this is a superb dram, consistent with all Lagavulin Distiller's Editions and Lagavulins in general. Scored 92 out of 100.

The initial aroma is dominated by peat smoke, which quickly gives way to a rich layer of strawberry jam and blackberries, its intensity preserved by the underlying smoky foundation. The taste maintains the fruity notes with a syrupy texture, but the finish erupts with a surge of peat smoke, returning the dram to its origins. It's an unusual, distinctive experience, yet offers significant pleasure when given careful consideration.

Same smoothness and timed complexity as the standard 16, but with a bit more tang and vanilla. Likely due to the transfer to Pedro ximinez casks which equals double maturation. Great amount of peat and smoke at the start, but soon reveals lots of scents once it makes its way down. Definitely a favorite.

Wow, this is an excellent whiskey. Imagine a Laga 16 with any rough edges, of which there are very few, totally smoothed out. It's also a little heavier on the sherry flavor and not quite as peaty as the 16. It's excellent. Try one. 👍🥃

Absolutely astonishingly good. Exhibits the classic peaty and leathery character of Islay scotch, but balanced by a smooth, sweet finish from the sherry cask aging. This is outstanding. An excellent introduction to scotch for beginners.