Lagavulin 2003 Distillers Edition (Bottled 2019)

Aroma: Comforting and full-bodied with peat that's muted by abundant sherry cask notes. Tastes of raisins, sea vegetation, eucalyptus oil, and rich, decaying earth. Subtle hints of apple skins and roasted ham appear after a rest. Dilution dulls and ruins the aroma. 87/100 Taste: A sweet initial impression with dark fruit that quickly moves to spiced (gentle ginger) and minty smoke. The progression introduces licorice, pine seeds, walnuts, cigar smoke, sea salt, and surprisingly dry sherry. The consistency is decent but not outstanding; the glass gets coated but the streaks form and run rapidly, indicating a lack of thickness. Adding water accentuates the saltiness while muting everything else. 83/100 Aftertaste: Short/Long. Most of the taste vanishes quickly, but a small portion (leafy sherry, brine, and strong peat smoke) continues to linger, though it develops a sour note. Just as you think it's gone, a breath brings back the scent and taste of peat smoke, similar to how cigar smoke remains. Like the aroma and taste, water negatively impacts the aftertaste. 82/100 This is the first Lagavulin Distillers Edition I've sampled in about ten years, from a purchased sample from some time ago. This style isn't my favorite, as while it has notable strengths, it lacks vibrancy, and I often find the sherry cask influence too dominant. The aroma is quite good, but the taste, while better than average, wasn't as impressive. The powerful peat aroma is captivating, but there isn't much depth beneath it, and a persistent sour/bitter salty brine runs through the taste, which I disliked. I understand its popularity among many, as it possesses exceptional qualities, but for me, it lacks balance throughout its evolution. Comparing it to the standard 12-year-old bottlings (even mediocre ones) highlights how much the distillery's character is masked by heavy PX finishing. An important point: do not dilute this spirit. Even a small amount of water disrupts its equilibrium entirely. While I don't factor cost into my scoring, I believe there are many peat-focused spirits that surpass the Distillers Expressions for about half the price. "Good": 84/100 (3.75 stars)

The aroma is greeted by the richness of barbecue, a significant salty and mineral presence, which soon yields to the whisky's sweeter essence, revealing notes of blood orange, melon, licorice, and cloves. It also has peppery bread. Tough yet elegant, akin to a 007 portrayed by Daniel Craig. On the palate, it is more delicate, peppery, and distinctly marine (tasting of raw fish), with ferrous undertones of grilled meat, like lamb chops. More blood orange, pine nuts, cocoa paste, and licorice are present. It's full-bodied but not overpowering, very balanced, perhaps excessively so. The finish is fairly long, with notes of ash, sea, spices, and orange. It's possible the alcohol content has somewhat tempered the potency of Lagavulin, making it perhaps too agreeable for my taste due to the sherry and PX influence. To be clear, it remains an excellent, structured, and rich drink, but I would have preferred more intensity.

The aroma offers the subtle sweet peat of Laga, accompanied by a whisper of sea salt. It possesses power without being overwhelming. Upon tasting, chocolate and caramel emerge rapidly. It's smoky and peaty, as one might anticipate. The slick mouthfeel evokes a decadent dessert enhanced by refined smoke, though it's not overly sweet. The conclusion introduces notes of charcoal and grass. It's smooth and agreeable.

I find myself preferring the standard Lagavulin 16. The PX cask finish seems to diminish rather than enhance the spirit. Much of the tropical fruit and confectionery sweetness I detect in the 16 is muted here. It remains a very pleasant dram, but the lower ABV holds it back. It's a bit thin with a rather short finish.

The PX finish elevates this Lagavulin. You still get the Islay smoke and peat, along with a touch of salt like the regular Lagavulin 16, but it's subtly softened and smoothed. Lovely raisin and sherry sweetness emerged beautifully with a few drops of water.

This scent is unbeatable. Campfires have nothing on it. Smoke and peat will accompany me into a pleasant evening. If scents evoke feelings, this scotch will leave you content until you drift to sleep and your dreams begin. I adore this scotch.