Lagavulin 9 Year (Game of Thrones-House Lannister)

My first sample from this collection. I recently acquired this at a reduced price to share with my son, a big fan of the show and someone I'm encouraging to appreciate whisky. I've been tasting this while taking notes and recently sampled it again. As a Lagavulin, I have specific expectations. Hints of bacon-wrapped, hickory-smoked oysters with a maple syrup glaze. Maritime saltiness, cream soda, grilled pears, and sweet tea. The aroma evokes campfires near the sea and autumnal breakfasts, like at a B&B with an indoor fireplace and Vermont syrup on the bacon. While my descriptions may be vivid, the aromas themselves are not overly dense; they are present but require time, patience, and careful attention to discern. As anticipated, the campfire, smoky peat flavor is dominant. Adding vanilla frosting, lemon zest, toffee, dark chocolate, and dark roast coffee, plus grilled peaches. Chewing and holding it reveals wood spices and cinnamon that create a tingling sensation. A woody, bitter palate with lemon zest and white pepper keeps it dry and spicy. A slight cigar ash lingers until the end. The finish is relatively short, leaving you wishing it lasted longer. I've sampled this over two weekends and observed changes. The initial pour showed its youthful side: spicy, sharp, and tingly with a prominent peaty, tobacco flavor. However, as the level decreased and oxidation occurred, it softened, revealing more sweetness. It definitely improved as the bottle opened up. Compared to Talisker 10, it shares a similar smoky, peppery sweetness (in my opinion). I would opt for a Talisker, Laphroaig, or Ardbeg before choosing this Lagavulin 9. It's a respectable second choice. At approximately $10 less than the discounted price, the alternative is a better buy at around $49 than this $59 Lagavulin 9. Worth trying. [87/100][$59][Tasted: 9/18/21]

Nose: Intense campfire smoke, yet with subtle fruit notes like lemon, pear, green apple, and pineapple drying in the smoke. Swirling reveals caramel and vanilla. The peat is gentler than the 16, with an herbal tea and wet moss character, lacking industrial chemical smells, just smoke and peat. It feels less perfumed than the 16. Palate: Sweet lemon cake, custard, vanilla frosting, followed by a quick fire at the back of the throat. It's salty. Cinnamon initially lacks heat but delivers it on the way to the finish. There's a tannic bitterness and charred wood early to mid-palate. Vanilla, caramel, and toffee appear intermittently. A hint of dark roast coffee also comes and goes. The finish is swift and intense, with hot cinnamon nearly overwhelming, balanced by a subtle dusting of powdered chocolate. It all concludes rather quickly. Smoke is present in the background throughout, with minimal peat detected. This reminds me somewhat of Laphroaig 10, but without the medicinal or chemical notes. There's a shared character between them, minus the Laphroaig medicine cabinet, which I consider a compliment, especially for a dram tied to a TV show promotion, even if made by Lagavulin. Lagavulin took it seriously and produced a fine whisky suitable for the 8-10 year old Islay category. Don't go out of your way or overpay for it (prices often exceed $100 locally, which is too much), but if found around $50-60, it's a solid purchase.

Considering current whisky prices, $45 feels like a bargain. I probably should have bought more at that price. The aroma is like honey-glazed barbecued pork belly with some orchard fruit. The peat is reminiscent of barbecue smoke and is slightly briny, balanced by sweetness and fruit. Citrus notes become more noticeable over time. The palate presents ashy smoke, creamy caramel, brine, lemon custard, and a hint of oak. The finish has a peppery quality with lingering ashy smoke and sweetness. It lacks the depth of the 16-year-old, but the increased proof is welcome, and it's a solid peaty dram. I've been in a peaty mood, and this satisfies it. I'm unsure of its original price, but at $45, it's an easy choice. I might be overestimating slightly due to the value, but I'm giving it 4 stars. I may need to purchase more.

Distinct Lagavulin character, more rounded, high pep, strong character, high pep, apple, pear, sweetness 2.75 Bitterness, very thin and flat, lacks complexity. Towards the end, mild Lagavulin characteristics emerge. The initial impression is flat, underwhelming, and not a great experience – bitterness, oaky if you enjoy thin, young whisky. This is for you. 1 Flat, oaky, bitterness 1 Lagavulin 9 Year Old GOT Very little resemblance to Lagavulin (cherry sweetness), with some muskiness, dryness, mid-level pep, high pep 2 1.5 Buttery, delicate, herbal, grassy, some peatiness, and no meaty taste 1.5 Oaky, mid-level, sustained 1.5 1.5

A- amber color, high viscosity N- light peat and smoke, fruity (tangerines, green apples, sultanas, lemon zest, orange peels), honey, vanilla, sea minerals P- spicy smoky arrival, rich, full, oily, savory, briny, white pepper, sultanas, tangerines, green apples, honey, vanilla, sea water, wet oak F- medium finish, sweet-savory-pepper aftertaste C- The first time I sampled this bottle, I didn't rate it highly, but perhaps it was my fault for adding water, which made it bland. I waited two months for another attempt, this time without water, and wow! The oxidation significantly improved this dram. It requires patience, but I recommend it.

Nose: Peaty, leaning towards wood smoke. A slight sweetness and a hint of burnt rubber. Orange peel oils reminiscent of an Old Fashioned garnish. Honey and malted barley emerge as it opens. Palate: A slightly oily mouthfeel with oak-like spice, similar to nutmeg or cinnamon in a hot drink by a fireplace. A fresh orange zest note leads into the finish. Finish: Sweeter smoke with a brininess that slightly dries the palate. It doesn't linger excessively.