Lagavulin

Posted on 2003/12/16 22:41:16 (December 2003) by john.

The Aristocrat of Islay Malts.

Having had a glass of it when visiting Inverness earlier this year, I've since been wanting to get hold of a bottle of Lagavulin, the Islay malt. At the supermarket yesterday, feeling a bit down in the dumps, I decided I ought to buy myself a new bottle of whisky to cheer myself up, and lo and behold, right at the back of the shelf were just two bottles of 16 year old Lagavulin. Apparently it's one of the rarerIslay malts, so I was quite lucky they had it in. It was the most I've spent so far on a bottle of whisky - thirty quid, but this wasn't much more than the typical price of Talisker (26 or 27 quid) which I've bought a couple of times in the past, or Laphroaig (24 or 25 quid) which has been a firm favourite. Considering most of the bottles in my current collection are only 10 or 12 year olds, it felt about time to get something a bit more mature.

Assuming the bottle is fairly fresh from the cask, I was only 10 years old when this whisky first came into being. I somehow really like this concept. In fact, when you consider it has taken at least 16 years to get to where it is today, I'm surprised it's as cheap as it is.

Here's a picture of the bottle:



Plus a close-up of the label:



It is absolutely fantastic. It's slightly darker than the other Islay malts I've got, which gives it a thicker and more intense feel. The initial smell of it is almost floral, apparently heavily influenced by the sherry casks. The taste is very rich, intense, and I couldn't help but being reminded of brown sugar. After a while in the mouth all the peaty, smokey and seaweedy flavours you'd hope to find in an Islay come through like a carnival parade, and continue to do so in the after taste.

If you're into whisky I strongly recommend you try and track down a bottle, or alternatively, if you happen to have the dubious pleasure of knowing me in person, come round and you can have some of mine.

Oh god yeah John, I NEED to try some of that!

Posted by Simon W at 2003/12/17 08:30:46.

You like Talisker? Interesting, but a tad too seaweedy for my liking ... which is a shame 'coz Skye is such a great island. Never tried Lagavulin ... I'll see if I can track down a bottle. Suggest: Highland Park. Suggest: Glenkinchie. Suggest: Glanfarclas (25yr)

Posted by Jimmy at 2003/12/17 24:39:13.

I've been to Glenfarclas. They gave samples after the tour, (said very quietly) but I don't like whisky. Still I think there is a bottle of 10 year old in the cupboard at home. Sssssh, don't tell Robert

Posted by Mad Mumsie at 2003/12/18 11:43:27.

I have to agree that the lagavulin is one of my favourite as well. When you have a mouthful of one of those peaty west coast island malts you can imagine yourself on the jetty on Tobermory at sunset, followed by waking up in salt skip the next day(but that's a different story). We bought a bottle of lagavulin after visiting the Oban distillery (there is some sort of link between them). If you liked lagavulin then try the Oban for a slightly more mellow hit. Has anyone tried laphroaig?
Right time to make some more baby food

Posted by Mat at 2004/01/08 21:25:12.

Lagavulin is definately my favorite. Around $90 CAD but well worth it. It's like drinking campfire smoke.

Posted by John W at 2006/02/23 21:24:37.

Lagavulin is definately my favorite. Around $90 CAD but well worth it. It's like drinking campfire smoke.

Posted by John W at 2006/02/23 21:24:56.

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