Lagavulin 16 Year Old is truly a benchmark Islay whisky. It’s loved for its deep, earthy, and maritime character with rich notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and smokiness that comes from Islay peat but is more akin to Lapsang Souchong tea in profile.
Before Lagavulin 16, the distillery did have a 12-year-old single malt. But when Diageo launched the Classic Malt series in the 1980s, Lagavulin 16 Year Old was introduced and became the distillery's flagship bottling. It received a boost in popularity after featuring in Parks and Recreation as a favourite drink of Nick Offerman’s character Ron Swanson. Offerman has since collaborated with the distillery on several occasions.
If you're looking for a food pairing for this beauty, try intensely flavoured salty blue cheeses, which complement the intense, peat-rich, sweet and salty character of this Lagavulin wonderfully.
More like Lapsang Souchong tea than Lapsang Souchong! One of the smokiest noses from Islay. It's big, very, very concentrated, and redolent of iodine, sweet spices, good, mature Sherry and creamy vanilla. Stunning.
Very thick and rich. A massive mouthful of malt and Sherry with good fruity sweetness, but also a wonderful sweetness. Big, powerful peat and oak.
Long, spicy finish, figs, dates, peat smoke, vanilla.
Consistently unbelievable, my favourite single malt without question. Last bottle was slightly different to those in the past, possibly more salty / briney. Still remains my number one. The flavour is true and comforting, earthy smoke with sweet brine. Good finish. Superb with a few drops of water. I have never been disappointed.
Intense... different... outstanding. On a scale of 1 to 10... a solid 8. This is the drink I buy when I have been through a serious whisky line up and I have had enough. It takes everything to a whole new level...smokiness...spice...heat...the whole load. My secret weapon during a whisky duel.
Delicious infusion of earthy peat and bonfire aromas with a sweet sherried cask undertones. The finish is classic Islay, rich, longlasting and very well balalnced . A masterpiece.
This is the first whiskey I've tried that goes down painlessly, leaving you to savor the deliciousness of its lasting, spice riddled flavor.
I can't say enough good things about this one. Its got it all...peat, smoke, oak and spice. Incredible nose, intense flavors that linger and a ton of bold character to boot. Put it on your list. You will not be disappointed.
