Lagavulin Distillery Exclusive 2017

Nose: Faint smoke, smoked lemon peel, earthy, light pear, mineral notes (becomes more pronounced with water). Much livelier, less smoky. Palate: Salty, sweet cured meat, a touch of minerals, earthiness, a lively mouthfeel, light pear, and lemon zest (with water). It develops a little more but remains largely the same. Finish: Lingering salty smoke, a mild savory character, lemon zest (with water). Unchanged. Score: 83/100 Final Thoughts: Initially, this seemed quite subdued but truly opened up after adding some water. Based on the nose and palate, it appears to be mostly ex-bourbon matured, possibly with a finishing cask or two of a light, sweet wine. It has abundant saltiness, a whisper of smoke, and a pleasant savory cured meat punch, making it seem ideal for enjoying by a summer campfire near a lake. It was pleasant, but not remarkable. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - No NOTE - Price is not considered in any reviews.

I feel compelled to give this bottle the recognition it deserves... With only one review so far, and it's far too low considering the quality of this whisky. I tasted this almost a year ago, so I don't have exact tasting notes, but I recall it being notably better than the 2017 edition, which was already a great bottle. It's creamier and sweeter, with less soot and peat than the 12-year-old series. This one likely includes some Oloroso cask influence and/or a wine finish. I also strongly suspect the average age of the components in this bottling is higher. Similar to the review for the 13-year-old, I promise to provide detailed tasting notes once I open my bottle. Currently rated 4.75, but I anticipate it will reach a perfect 5 stars after I try it again.

One of the finest examples of a peated Islay you'd be fortunate to acquire. It builds upon the profile of the 16 year old. If you're already a fan of Lagavulin's core offerings, you'll likely appreciate this as well. It's truly a pleasure to experience a malt as it might have been crafted over a century ago.

The aroma is wonderful, expansive, and intensely spicy. It has a peppery quality. Wood, spice, and profound smoke are on the palate, with that signature Islay richness to support it. Molasses and caramel sweetness create a completely balanced experience. Absolutely incredible, though it would be perfect with slightly less proof.

This was too intense for me, even after adding water. It has a long finish with moderate peat and significant sea saltiness. It's very rich and requires time to fully appreciate.

This might not be from the same year, as it indicates 53.5% ABV. There's a lot of acetone, a dry yet resinous character, bell peppers, black pepper, and an ashy smoke.