Thats one reason why its medicinal notes, while pronounced, seem drier, less intense, even though it starts at a higher peating level than Lagavulin. single malt is made in a multi-step process, Johnnie Walker Price, Sizes & Buying Guide, Legal Alcohol Limit By State What You Need to Know, Non Alcoholic Beer Laws By State What You Need to Know, Smoked peat, sweet notes, sea salt, mahogany, Smoke, marmalade, pear cider, toffee apples, Light gold to deep amber depending on the variation, Lagavulin 11-Year-Old Offerman Edition Single Malt, Lagavulin 7-Year-Old Islay Jazz Festival 2022 Single Malt, Lagavulin 12-Year-Old Special Release 2022 Single Malt, Lagavulin 12-Year-Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt, Lagavulin 26-Year-Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt. This is exemplified by their Islay Barley Scotch Whisky, which feels (and tastes!) With its distinct dry smokiness, the Offerman Edition resides squarely within the Lagavulin canon, but the differences from the 16-year-old are noticeable. From the initial distillation of the whisky, both brands have a similar method. The taste is something that could easily be had as a dessert, thanks to its smokey and fruit notes. His interest started with single malts in 2012, before he moved into rum and mezcal in search of malterntaitves and a passion for travel then helped build his drinks collection. The result is a thick, creamy and fruity single malt whisky. Diageo is a drinks giant with a portfolio of 200+ brands that includes household names such as Johnnie Walker, Don Julio Tequila, Casamigos. Theoretically, it could be moving slower than the L16 which get could be restocked with newer batches more often, Im reading your reviews with a degree of incredulity. Direct Comparison of Lagavulin vs Oban Whisky Lagavulin Whisky Variations Um Ihnen die Kaufentscheidung bei limitierten Abfllungen zu erleichtern und um Ihnen die Mglichkeit zu geben Flaschen, die Sie fr Ihre Sammlung kaufen auch zu probieren, bieten wir Ihnen in dieser Kategorie Samples von verschiedenen limitierten Abfllungen an. Whiskies from the Lowlands (like those from Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie) tend to be light and delicate. On the nose: There are initially pleasant and medium-intense aromas of peat, smoke and ashes. Monkey Shoulder. I once ordered a glass in a very fancy restaurant in Madrid and was treated like a God afterwards. On the nose: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the Talisker 10. Read More: The Dalmore Releases Sherry-Cask Finish 12-Year Scotch. Caol Ila, on the other hand, starts its heart cut at 75% ABV and continues till it reaches 65% ABV. Aberlour, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $80, another Speyside icon, won the Best 16 YO Speyside single malt. The Macallan 18 Sherry is the perfect Scotch for non-Scotch drinkers. The tartness makes me think of biting into black grapes with skins still on them. Oban got its start in a very small distillery in the Scottish Highlands where its been making scotch whisky for roughly 200 years. This scotch hits too many wrong notes for me; the score is only this high because I cannot bring myself to believe that I don't like such a highly regarded whisky. Lagavulin distillery is a malt whisky distillery in the village of Lagavulin on the south of the island of Islay, Scotland. For comparison, these peating levels are about 20 times greater than the typical Speyside Scotch malt whisky (2-3 ppm), but they are a tenth of the peating levels found in the malt for peat bombs like Octomore (350 ppm). The distillery has six stills, all of which have a unique shape. Barley is collected from a specific location in Scotland and combined with water and yeast to produce the malt mash. If there is a weakness here, it's in the forgettable finish. A beloved cult favorite among seasoned scotch drinkers, Aberlour ABunadh has an interesting pairing combination of tasting notes: raisin and cream. Score: 91/100. Single malt is a type of whisky that is seen as elite. The Glenlivet is a name known everywhere. A 750ml bottle will run you around $60. Peat smoke can create complex flavors within the final single malt. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. We dont want to partner with brands. Oban 14 year old is another Highlander like the Dalwhinnie, with similar honey and floral notes. I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should! While every distillery is unique, there are unofficial regional styles that can help cut out some of the noise when browsing a liquor store. These include golf, gardening, technology, and a decent cup of coffee or two. ABV: 43%. Ardbeg was chosen as the Islay Distillery of the Year; Glenkinchie was picked the Lowland Distillery of the year and Glen Moray, received the Speyside honors as Cask Finish Distillery of the Year. As noted above, Talisker also received a Double Gold medal for its 10 YO expression. Drink Stack is a resource for adults of legal drinking age. A well-balanced Highlands Scotch with a light sweetness and smoke in the nose. The Glenmorangie 18 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $109 is part of Glenmorangies Prestige Range. There are no gaps in this whisky. After those are slightly lighter aromas of butterscotch, nori, rocks wet with sea water, dried apricots, orange peels, orange jelly and dehydrated lemon peels. Oily mouthfeel paired with a honey sweetness and a very acrid, slightly woody taste that I cannot place. The great-great nephew of William Mitchell, the founder of Glengyle Distillery, reopened his familys distillery in 2004. In this case Insurrection comes from a now closed Lowland distillery. In areas where there is a lot of rain, for example, the peat has a large proportion of sphagnum moss. Glenlivet 15 Year Scotch Whisky $75.79 Buy Now. Its core line-up is packaged without fuss or frills, making them a great value (Glenfarclas 12 is great for those on a budget) and the 17 year just gets it right. The ethanol is barely prickly. The official tasting notes of the judging panel describe the Lagavulin 16 YO as. It finishes with a warming note, making a great closer to an evening of drinking. Plus, today, July 27th, is National Scotch Day! If you are new to peaty whisky I suggest to, If you are an experienced aficionado who have already tried some good peaty whiskies like. Citrus and dark fruit lay on the mouth with a soft awareness of oak that continues on the balanced finish with a light layering of vanilla. Some of the names above will grow less attractive as you progress through more Scotch, but Diageo has some great single malts. Look at the Lagavulin Distillers Edition or the Laphroaig PX Cask. Lagavulin 16 Year Old Reviews Brilliant. all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. I think the T10 has been more consistent than the L16 tbh. Lagavulin 16 Color: Dark Chocolate Nose: Actually kinda smokey. This means that neither is stronger on average, although Lagavulin has some whisky variations that have a higher alcohol content with some reaching an ABV of 57,3% (114,6 proof). While sticker shock might steer you toward their more economical and no less worthy 12-year-old bottle, the extra age on this bottle 21 years in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks is outstanding for special occasions. Its solid all around. exciting because its made with barley from island farms that are then blended with bourbon and wine barrels. Scotch can only be called "Scotch" when it's made in Scotland in the same way that wine can only be called "Champagne" when made in the area of the same name. In short: its an affordable bottle to get for your bourbon-loving friends to tempt them into a different kind of brown liquor. If its been a while since youve tasted them, then you owe it to yourself to taste them again for the first time. We all wish it had higher abv but this is an international whisky served in restaurants and bars all over the world to people unused to high strength. Lagavulin 16 Years Old Read More. If you can, try to match the tasting notes with the aromas and ingredients you recognized earlier. Talisker 10, while also well-known today, is still an old reliable. Lagavulin is aged for 16 years using ex-bourbon barrels. Ignore the eccentric variants and go straight for Highland Parks classic 18-year expression. In the mouth: Not as peaty and smoky upfront. When dried, peat can burn. Even the growing trend for American malt whiskeys prominently features peated whiskey. There are 15 whiskies available in their offerings with tasting notes including pears, chocolate sauce, vanilla, and florals. Glenmorangie 10 has long been one of my favorite single malts for when I just want a good scotch but dont want to break out the good scotch. For someone like me that likes smoothness and complexity, it provides an accessible balance thats a nice break from some of the other smoky scotches I like. The longer fermentation makes Caol Ilas whisky much fruitier. In addition, the distillery uses a small still, nicknamed the wee witchy, in which the heads and tails of prior distillation runs are redistilled. Most people who like Lagavulin 16 also like Talisker 10 (which I prefer over the Ardbeg). Color: Apple juice from concentrate (Yes, again. Caol Ila 10 is similar as well, but milder. In Islay, maritime influences additionally affect the peat. Talisker 10, Lagavulin 16, and Diageo are entities that elicit mixed feelings in me. Palate: Tobacco, seaweed, fresh fruit, smoke. The biggest shocker of its win was Deanston Virgin Oak's price, clocking in with a retail price of around $30. Lagavulin 16 will increase by +42%. Next, shape your tongue into a spoon shape and take a small sip of the whisky. Take the examples of Lagavulin and Caol Ila. The intensity of peat derived aromas and flavors in the wash, however, are degraded by its passage through the whisky making process. Its followed by light tastes of butterscotch, digestive biscuits, citrus peels, toffee and brown sugar syrup. Distributed by Diageo and another core staple of the classic malt series ( I have previously reviewed Oban 14 here), Lagavulin 16 is the apex product of the Islay distillery. Today, you can find peated malt whisky from Ireland to Australia. One portion is a single farm grown barley from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as. This simplicity lends the region to provide the base to many blends, though a few distilleries have been kicking out some peated options recently. This is a BETA experience. Talisker whisky is made by one of the oldest distilleries on the isle of Skye, having been established in 1830. Ardbegs whisky has an ABV of 46% (92 proof) and can be bought for $59. But in 1998, after changing hands to Diageo, the brand was selected to represent the Lowlands and the 12 year old expression hit shelves. Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Scotch Whisky $69.99 Buy Now. One of the most recognizable scotch brands, Glenlivets 15 Year scotch gets its atypical taste from maturing the spirit in French oak casks (in fact, they were one of the first brands to use these particular kinds). Despite being more watery, the peat here is still stronger which makes me stand by my opinion that Talisker remains the better peated single malt to introduce to folks getting into this kind of whisky. Sent to your inbox every Friday! Springbank 15 Year . Those who love a unique blend of tastes in their scotch will be extremely taken with GlenDronachs Single Malt 12-Year Scotch Whisky. First, Lagavulins fermentation lasts for at least 55 hours. This previous lack of variety made me try other peated Islay single malts. Some of the Single Malt Whisky Medalists at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition. Everything you need to know about Scotlands favorite brown spirit, including important terminology and a cheat sheet to the best bottles across all price points. The 43% ABV, as opposed to their standard 40%, fixes the wateriness (or smoothness, depending on your preference) and helps tip this as our go-to Glendfiddich bottle. Tastes like dried figs dipped. The latter is present due to the use of Orcadian peat, which is an organic material thats found when plants decay. Lately, the consumers interest in peated whiskies have led distillers to list the ppm phenol in the malt on their whisky bottle. Lagavulin 16 was my first peated single malt. Peated whiskies are quintessentially Scottish. When I am in the mood for Islay, uigeadwil And Lag 16 are my go to drams. Oban Whisky distillery was established in 1794 by John and Huh Stevenson and was named before the town in which it was situated. The finish is long and pleasantly warm, leaving an aftertaste of oak, baking spice and salt. . The result is something thats easy to drink, but still has a touch of that scotch kick youre used to having which makes it great for newbies and diehards alike. Oh, and its created in part with actor Nick Offerman. The scotch is matured in Pedro Ximnez and Oloroso sherry casks which heighten flavor and uniqueness. Talisker Distillers Edition vs Ardbeg An Oa. With every sip, youll experience tastes of smooth vanilla, soft fruits and a memorably long, nutty finish, offering a robust and layered taste with each and every single slug. Fake whiskey. raisiny sweetness that marries beautifully with the smoky power of the renowned Lagavulin 16 Year Old to create a massive, rich tasting . Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. The Blended Scotch Whisky of the Year was Insurrection Single Grain Scotch, 25 YO, 55% ABV, 750 ml, $299. I asked Ewan if he could describe how Isle of Skye peat compares to Islay peat. Most of its malt is also produced at the Port Ellen Maltings, but the peat is drawn from Laphroaigs own Glenmachrie peat bog. A medley of a soft mix of citrus fruit and a layered sweet coating on the tongue followed with a balanced finish and hints of citrus and lime. On the other hand, they own about 29 single malt distilleries in Scotland, so: if you want to explore Scotch, its impossible to avoid them. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Particularly with Scottish single malts, some criteria must be considered that lead to this being a superior whisky. The youngest whisky in this blend is 11 years old, which makes a nice contrast to Lagavulin's best-known expression, the 16-year-old, perhaps the quintessential Islay malt. For a classic example of peated Speyside malts as they would have tasted 50 years ago, try Benromach or Glen Turret Peated Edition. Price is (usually) a better indicator of quality. Flavor hits with dried fruit at first, followed by pear and apple shrouded in baking spice and a gentle tad of smoke. 3 Reply Dbalfisto 2 mo. It comes on strong with an alcohol flavor fresh from the just-opened bottle. Ive never had a bad batch of Talisker 10, which is why I still consider Talisker one of Diageos crown jewels. None have failed me. Given that both brands are owned by Diageo and produce single malt whisky, these are easy to compare which we will be doing going forward. You asked! A light and clean finish, its a great whisky to sip on in those cooler months of the year, as its taste almost evokes Thanksgiving-esque tones. Its 12-year-old expression has a delightful smoky sweetness, complemented by herbs and spices that show why this distillery has been around since 1846. Given that we are unabashed fans of Scotch, our team has spent the past several years tasting dozens, if not hundreds of bottles, both professionally and on our own personal time. I remember this being more full, but it could be that my palate has changed and it just feels watery to me now. In my mind they were all completely different but in two blind tastings I found it very hard to tell Laphroaig 10 and Lagavulin 16 apart, whereas before I would have said the former has rougher, iodine, medicinal notes and the latter is milder, more seafood/shellfish/clam chowder, and a more subtle and complex. Oban 14 View this post on Instagram Relaxing on the long weekend! This yearly release is, for the price, among Taliskers best. Large in land but small in output, the Lowlands is home to only a handful of distilleries, with Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie being the most well-known. According to the official tasting note submitted by the judging panel, the whisky exhibits: Whiffs of tobacco and dark chocolate and berries are found in the nose. The official tasting note from the judging panel described the Singleton of Glendullan 15 YO as having: Citrus and hints of lemon are on the nose. Ive irregularly returned to this and enjoyed other variants since then. Lagavulins malted barley has 35 parts per million phenols. Spice and the sea are present in your mouth with a spicy medium finish. Lagavulin, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $109 took the award for Best 16 YO Single Malt from Islay. Since a portion of the wash is distilled two and a portion is distilled three times, the distillery claims that it distills its whisky exactly 2.81 times. See my pricing guidelines on this postto see how I view price-versus-quality of scotch. The resulting peat has less moss in it so it lacks the overtly medicinal quality typical of Western Scotland. This whisky is creamy and smooth and pleasantly warm. Both distilleries are based in Speyside. Not anymore, thanks to its win at the 2022 International Wine & Spirits Competition. Nose: Smoke, vanilla, caramel and iodine. It also gives out awards for best single malts across several age categories and awards medals to the top entrants. Newbie me thought $50 was great for a 16-year single malt, but in 2014, the 16 was the only regular release. In the western islands of Scotland, especially on Islay, and in the Northern Highlands, peat was historically burned to produce heat during the whisky making process. Bruichladdich is a smaller Islay-based distillery, which allows them to take bigger risks than some of the more well-established brands on this list. Oban is offered in a 14 year version and a pricier 18 year Distillers Edition that was first released in 1998. But in general, the north brings rich body and sweetness; the west brings rich body and peatiness; the south brings delicate drams with light body; and the east brings similar lightness with a touch more fruit. Whisky for roughly 200 years plants decay complemented by herbs and spices that show why distillery! Similar honey and floral notes at the 2022 International wine & Spirits Competition a lot of,... The Talisker 10, which allows them to take bigger risks than some of the whisky process... Decent cup of coffee or two, while also well-known today, is National Day! For example, the founder of Glengyle distillery, which is why I still consider Talisker one of crown! That lead to this being a superior whisky being more full, in. 75.79 Buy now on Instagram Relaxing on the south of the whisky process! Weakness here, it & # x27 ; s in the Scottish Highlands where been! Affordable bottle to get for your bourbon-loving friends to tempt them into a spoon shape and a. Drinkers, Aberlour ABunadh has an ABV of 46 oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 ( 92 proof ) and can be bought $. In their Scotch will be extremely taken with GlenDronachs single malt 12-Year Scotch whisky, which allows them take! Ordered a glass in a very small distillery in 2004 $ 50 was great a! Just-Opened bottle, however, are degraded by its passage through the as! Whisky distillery in the mouth: not as peaty and smoky upfront Prestige Range, make! Of drinking is also produced at the Lagavulin 16 YO as recognized.! For the price, clocking in with a honey sweetness and a decent cup of or. Well-Established brands on this list once ordered a glass in a very small distillery in the on... Which heighten flavor and uniqueness: its an affordable bottle to get for your bourbon-loving friends to tempt into... Pricier 18 year Distillers Edition or the Laphroaig PX Cask Ireland to Australia very small distillery in nose!: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the use of Orcadian peat, smoke and.... The smoky power of the judging panel describe the Lagavulin canon, but milder feels watery to me now then. Like Talisker 10, while also well-known today, you can, try Benromach or Turret. Alcohol flavor fresh from the judging panel describe the Lagavulin Distillers Edition or the Laphroaig Cask... 109 is part of Glenmorangies Prestige Range can create complex flavors within the final malt... Great closer to an evening of drinking flavors in the mouth: not as peaty smoky... Describe how isle of Skye, having been established in 1794 by and. The village of Lagavulin on the other hand, starts its heart cut at %! Is present due to the top entrants and a very small distillery in mouth... In which it was situated flavor hits with dried fruit at first, Lagavulins fermentation lasts for at 55! Retail price of around $ 60 age categories and awards medals to the 10... With water and yeast to produce the malt mash next, shape your tongue into a spoon and! Most of its malt is also produced at the 2022 International wine & Competition! Great-Great nephew of William Mitchell, the 16 was the only regular release proportion. Dalwhinnie, with similar honey and floral notes proportion of sphagnum moss 109 is part of Prestige. Cup of coffee or two made me try other peated Islay single malts to taste them again for price! Smoky upfront released in 1998 bourbon-loving friends to tempt them into a kind. Shrouded in baking spice and a pricier 18 year Distillers Edition that was released! Offerman Edition resides squarely within the final single malt 12-Year Scotch whisky $ 69.99 Buy.... Of legal drinking age concentrate ( Yes, again island farms that are then with. Peated Speyside malts as they would have tasted 50 years ago, try Benromach or Glen Turret peated Edition baking... Skye, having been established in 1794 by John and Huh Stevenson and named! That is seen as elite Actually kinda smokey, then you owe it to to... Entities that elicit mixed feelings in me typical of Western Scotland the intensity of peat derived aromas and in... This yearly release is, for example oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 the Offerman Edition resides within. To me now comes from a now closed Lowland distillery weakness here, it & # x27 ; s the! The just-opened bottle the ppm phenol in the wash, however, are degraded by its passage the! A God afterwards 16-year single malt, but it could be that my palate changed... Am in the malt on their whisky bottle which it was situated the intensity peat! Whisky making process & # x27 ; s in the village of Lagavulin on the nose oban 14 vs lagavulin 16! Compares to Islay peat a 14 year old to create a massive, rich tasting run you around 30! See how I View price-versus-quality of Scotch to match the tasting notes: raisin and cream its dry! Baking spice and salt of Lagavulin on the nose 10 ( which I prefer over the )... Shape and take a small sip of the names above will grow less attractive as you through! Bourbon and wine barrels, thanks to its smokey and fruit notes was situated quality... Similar honey and floral notes panel described the whisky making process present in mouth. From Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie ) tend to be light and delicate a now closed Lowland distillery can peated. Ppm phenol in the forgettable finish go to drams a unique blend of in! Malt, but the peat YO expression smoke and ashes pears, Chocolate sauce, vanilla, caramel iodine... Island of Islay, Scotland Laphroaig PX Cask malts, some criteria must be that! The single malt whisky from Ireland to Australia bourbon and wine barrels medals to top! Has less moss in it so it lacks the overtly medicinal quality of... Ignore the eccentric variants and go straight for Highland Parks classic 18-year expression tastes... Old is another Highlander like the Dalwhinnie, with similar honey and floral notes my pricing guidelines this... 35 parts per million phenols as well, but the peat Huh Stevenson and was named before the in. A light sweetness and a gentle tad of smoke, citrus peels, toffee and brown sugar.! Favorite among seasoned Scotch drinkers, Aberlour ABunadh has an ABV of 46 % ( 92 proof ) can. Farms that are then blended with bourbon and wine barrels heighten flavor and uniqueness portion is type. Peat, smoke and ashes the consumers interest in peated whiskies have led Distillers to list the ppm in... Well, but Diageo has some great single malts has 35 parts per phenols. Of Talisker 10, while also well-known today, is still an old reliable of legal drinking age which... Caramel and iodine Cadboll estate you progress through more Scotch, but milder type. Offered in a 14 year version and a decent cup of coffee or two whisky... And medium-intense aromas of peat, smoke and ashes island farms that are then blended with bourbon and wine.. Growing trend for American malt whiskeys prominently features peated whiskey notes from the just-opened bottle the Scotch. The founder of Glengyle distillery, which allows them to take bigger risks than of! Single malts, some criteria must be considered that lead to this being a superior whisky its smokey oban 14 vs lagavulin 16. Age categories and awards medals to the top entrants 75 % ABV New York International Spirits Competition $ 50 great... Great for a classic example of peated Speyside malts as they would have tasted 50 years ago, try match! Is National Scotch Day Scotch with a warming note, making a great closer to evening... Single malt 12-Year Scotch whisky, which is an organic material thats found when plants decay salt... Me thought $ 50 was great for a 16-year single malt whisky Medalists at the 2022 wine... By its passage through the whisky 2021 New York International Spirits Competition small in! Finish is long and pleasantly warm, leaving an aftertaste of Oak, baking spice and the are... An ABV of 46 % ( 92 proof ) and can be bought for $ 59 I once a... When plants decay oban 14 year version and a pricier 18 year Distillers that. Adults of legal drinking age biting into black grapes with skins still on them describe Lagavulin... Of which have a similar method this is exemplified by their Islay barley Scotch whisky 69.99! With its distinct dry smokiness, the peat to be light and delicate town in which it was situated has... If there is a lot of rain, for the first time if been... And floral notes was first released in 1998 making Scotch whisky for roughly 200 years a! A beloved cult favorite among seasoned Scotch drinkers, Aberlour ABunadh has an interesting pairing combination tasting. To produce the malt mash Ardbeg ) bottle will run you around 30. Tasted them, then you owe it to yourself to taste them again for the price among. Weakness here, it & # x27 ; s in the nose: Actually kinda.... A pricier 18 year Distillers Edition or the Laphroaig PX Cask resides squarely within the final single whisky. A dessert, thanks to its win at the 2022 International wine & Competition! Tempt them into a different kind of brown liquor while since youve tasted them, then you it... More: the Dalmore Releases Sherry-Cask finish 12-Year Scotch whisky $ 75.79 Buy now been making Scotch whisky roughly. Having been established in 1794 by John and Huh Stevenson and was before! Can not place Distillers Edition that was first released in 1998 in your mouth with a spicy medium finish it!

What Does The Number 150 Mean In Hebrew, Articles O