This first age statement release from Lagavulin has been recognised as a value-for-money whisky with a relatively high age statement and relatively accessible price. The distillery, among the best known in the world, is one of the oldest distilleries on Islay, although its history of distillation activity reaches much further back than its official start date. It has a distinctive cracked black pepper note on the nose that is always an unmistakable marker for Talisker. Its difficult not to love it, but as a luxury Scotch bottle, it isnt designed to challenge you, but rather to open the door for anyone to enjoy what 18 years can do to transform whisky. Inspired by, of all things, the Vikings, Highland Park (as seen in the Nordic detailing present in the bottles design) 12 Year boasts a great balance between malty notes and floral smokiness. Oban got its start in a very small distillery in the Scottish Highlands where its been making scotch whisky for roughly 200 years. Nose: Honestly, it smells like Aberlour and Laphroaig had very quiet babies; light smoke and vinous notes, accompanied by some slight dark fruits. But maybe its a case of me just trying the same batch of T10s in my market. Veterans wont also find it too light. It dates back to 1794 when it was founded by the brothers John and Hugh Stevenson in the Port of Oban which was named after the distillery and not the other way around! The distillery had remained quiet since 1925, when it closed following an economic downturn, and August 2016 was the first time Glengyles new flagship hit shelves. Core Offering: Oban 14 Year Old. ago yours is an open factual report. Lagavulin distillery is a malt whisky distillery in the village of Lagavulin on the south of the island of Islay, Scotland. This Speyside distillery has an excellent lineup, with the 16-year-old landing right in the sweet spot of maturation between the 12 and 18, the other two age statement bottles in the range. Differences in vegetative composition and the prevailing climate both affect the characteristics of the peat reek produced. Earned a Gold Medal at the 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition. 128. A total of 228 bottles were released. $14.00 USD . The tweaks and variations that go into each bottle of Scotch are intimidating, especially for bourbon and rye drinkers who may not be accustomed to the price of a whiskey thats been aged for 18 years or more. Its a very well made whisky. Ewan also gave out more information that was new to me. 8th February 2023 Best single malt ever 7th February 2023 Not a fan. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as offering: Hints of peak and smokiness on the nose without the impact of an Islay whisky. Great Scotch? The long aging period diminished the smoky notes a bit whilst adding the sweet vanilla from the bourbon barrels. Ridiculously? Oban is offered in a 14 year version and a pricier 18 year Distillers Edition that was first released in 1998. It combines a prominent smoky peat note, with fresh fruit, cooked cereal notes and a tangy salty note. Both distilleries are based in Speyside. $92 AT DUBAIDUTYFREE.COM. In the mouth: Not as peaty and smoky upfront. As a result, you just cant not try more complex, different and heavy single malts from distilleries such as Mortlach, Clynelish, Benrinnes, Dalwhinnie and Cragganmore. Both whiskies are from Western Scotland. Next, waft the glass below your nose a few times and try to pick out the separate scents and matching ingredients used to create it. The well bodied liquid with citrus and honey layers lay on the tongue with hints of oak and brown sugar on the long finish. ABV: 43%. Ive had hotter whisky with lower ABV. Oban ages their whisky in oak barrels with the barrels being old American Oak bourbon barrels. 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. Ledaig comes from the Tobermory distillery in the northwest corner of the Isle of Mull, just a short hop across the water from the mainland Highlands. I got turned off by the 43% abv and turned on by Lag 12 cask strength. These are the best bottles of Scotch whisky you can buy. The easy-to-drink scotch is aged in a joint American and European Sherry oak for 12 years (hence the namesake) to provide that refined taste. If its been a while since youve tasted them, then you owe it to yourself to taste them again for the first time. This special select scotch whisky comes from a marriage of both American and European casks to create a rich and layered taste. Peixe e batata frita "Prato exclusivo do Rose & Crown", empanado em cerveja e servido com molho trtaro . The two tones at play with one another here are that of a rich sweetness beginning and an extra spicy finish. This is one of thebest peaty single maltsin the market. Under the official Scotch Whisky Association guidelines, the Highlands region is made up of all Scottish islands (except Islay) and the mainland of northern Scotland (except Speyside). The influence of peat on a whisky depends on a number of factors, among the most important are: the characteristics of the peat and the temperature at which it is burned during in the kilning process, the concentration of phenols in the malted barley expressed in parts per million, the amount of reflux (the condensation and re-distillation of spirit vapor that occurs inside the pot still), during the distillation process, the cut points that determine the heart proportion and the number of years that the whisky is aged. It develops in areas where organic matter is covered by water before it can fully decompose. (16 year-old Lagavulin is around $65). Lagavulin, what are you doing? The Singleton of Glendullan, 15 YO, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $50 took the award for the Best 15 YO Single Malt. Both are heavy on the peat, as an Islay should be. 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. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Tastes like dried figs dipped. Its home to the highest number of distilleries in Scotland, with well over 60 at present, including Glenfiddich, the worlds best-selling single malt Scotch. I got to attend a virtual tasting hosted by Diageos Ewan Gunn. Start by pouring 1 to 2 ounces of whisky into a bourbon glass and swirl it. Auchentoshan Three Wood is a bottle I routinely keep on the shelf after receiving one as gift. The higher cut points and the greater reflux make it lighter and results in less phenolic compounds in the whisky. The use of worm coil condensers limits the amount of copper contact the vapor receives, resulting in notable meaty aromas of bacon fat and raw steak. Color: Amber, like tea steeped not-quite-enough. Peat has a strong presence with hints of sea salt as it lays well on the tongue. The primary tasting notes across the whiskies are peat and fruit, with additional notes of sea salt, honey, and spice differing across the variations. Start by deciding what youre looking for. Historically, many Speyside whiskies had a peat component in their single malts. The more moss, the more phenols are released by the burning peat and the more medicinal flavor in the whisky. Oban is similar but even more subtle. Try These Whiskeys, The Complete Buying Guide to Buffalo Trace Whiskey, The Most Exciting New Bourbon and Whiskeys of 2022, The 22 Best Scotch Whiskies You Can Drink Right Now, The Glenlivet Ndurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish, Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old. (182.86 per litre) A magnificent whisky. Laphroaig Select Islay Scotch Whisky $49.99 Buy Now. Finish: No burn, just smoke and thick chocolate. So, despite its small size, the area carries an outsized distilling resume, with heavies like Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg residing there. It makes for a (really) nice gift and showcases what 18-year-old sherry bombs can taste like, but the more adventurous should look elsewhere. Malting is done by steeping the barley in water and leaving it to germinate on a malting floor. $22.00 USD . Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Which is better? Peated or unpeated? Of course, grain whisky aged in first-fill ex-bourbons also means the cask lends more flavor to the grain whisky. According to other comparisons of Lagavulin Vs Oban Whisky, Lagavulin was considered a better choice. At the end is even a lighter taste of ashiness, which reminds me of burnt bell peppers. Lagavulins stills are short and squat and are charged (filled) to around 90% capacity, while Caol Ilas stills have much longer necks and larger pots and they are only filled to 50% capacity. On the nose: There are initially pleasant and medium-intense aromas of peat, smoke and ashes. Lagavulin Aged 16 Years - Review 43% ABV. Lagavulin 16 Color: Dark Chocolate Nose: Actually kinda smokey. 38.95 from The Whisky Exchange. These are the best bottles of Scotch whisky you can buy. On the nose: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the Talisker 10. 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. Tyler Duffy, Associate Editor. The award for the Best 20 YO Single Malt went to another legendary Scotch whisky: Mortlach, 20 YO, 43.4% ABV, 750 ml, $250. Monkey Shoulder. However, Lock Lomond also sells other whisky types including their range of limited editions and single-grain whisky. Smoke and peat and iodine fill the nose that reflect its Islay character. In the mouth: Theres a watery texture in this that delays the delivery of smoke and peat. We dont want to partner with brands. 70cl / 56.5%. Think of the difference between smelling an open bottle of Pine Sol and smelling a dry pail that formerly held a solution of Pine Sol and water. Interestingly enough, theres a bit more of the American oak in this particular scotch, which gives it more of a slightly smoky taste. Whisky reviews with objectivity and transparency. When burned, that peat can add a more pronounced aroma of iodine or smoked, oily fish. (It famously produces much of the Scotch for blending in Johnnie Walker expressions.) Pratos principais. Serve it or with a little bit of ice to draw out the flavor further. In addition to the Double Gold medalists, the NYISC also recognizes outstanding distilleries in some of Scotlands key producing areas. This is exemplified by their Islay Barley Scotch Whisky, which feels (and tastes!) Glenlivet 15 Year Scotch Whisky $75.79 Buy Now. . 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. Lagavulin has an oilier, fresher quality, while Laphroaig seems drier. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as. all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. Matured exclusively in ex-Oloroso sherry casks, this has big butterscotch and sherried fruit, mix with a little peat smoke for an easy-drinking, reliable Scotch. Not any longer. 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). It tends to impart flavors of cold smoke and dry brush. This year, there still was a total of 1,400 entrants judged. As noted above, Talisker also received a Double Gold medal for its 10 YO expression. Uigeadail is a double matured Islay whisky, which according to the company, marries Ardbeg's traditional deep, smoky notes with luscious, raisiny tones of old ex-Sherry casks. The combination of Islays traditional smoky whisky and the sweet dried fruit notes obtained from sweet wine casks has always been a winning formula on Islay, and has been replicated in dozens of expressions. Palate: Dried fruit, pear, apple, baking spice, smoke. The peatiness is incredibly well balanced against some caramel sweetness, rich, smooth and delicious. which makes it great for newbies and diehards alike. In this article, we dig into Lagavulin vs Oban Whisky by examining their histories and variations, as well as several alternatives should you choose to not buy either of the brands discussed. Highland Park 12 Year Scotch Whisky $56.99 Buy Now. Depending on how the distillation is managed, its length, the amount of reflux produced, and the cut points used to obtain the heart cut, the ppm phenol in the new-make spirit can be from a third to two-thirds less than the original concentration in the malt. This bottle is available almost everywhere, so please shop around but expect to pay 37.95 via The Whisky Exchange, 36.45 with Master of Malt, $66.99 with SharedPour or Amazon will demand 37.55. There was a second distillery already sharing the site with Lagavulin which was absorbed by the company in 1837. Laphroaigs Select Isaly scotch whisky has a bit of history to it. Typically, this would add about 3-5 ppm phenol or so. Some consider the Islands (and distilleries like Arran) as their own unofficial region. Each bottle is distilled on the coast of Skye in Scotland which helps bring more intensity to each sip. Or it could be this has really become more watery due to the higher demand. If youre looking for more fruitiness than spice, another fantastic Ardbeg is Uigeadail, which substitutes virgin French Limousin oak for ex-Sherry casks. Its brightly peated whisky sits in sherry-seasoned European oak casks and ages in the extremely mild climate of the islands, for a gentle maturation that hits its stride at 18 years. Its slightly complex but is full of familiar flavors which make this easy to enjoy. Bottled relatively young after spending 10 years in a mixture of first- and second-fill bourbon casks, and second-fill French wine casks, its an aggressive Scotch. Lagavulin 16 will increase by +42%. The region falls on the opposite side of the flavor spectrum (and map) from the peatiness of Islay. Tyler Duffy, Associate Editor. 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. Aberlour, 16 YO, Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Floral and dried dark fruit on the tongue with a balanced long finish with a soft layer of honey. Campbeltown juts out toward Ireland from mainland Scotland; its a peninsula sandwiched between Islay to the west and the Lowlands to the east. Lagavulin distillery was founded in 1816 by John Johnston and Archibald Campbell,is located in the village ofLagavulinon the south of the island ofIslay,Scotland. Great to pair alongside chocolates, fruits, and even cheese, this scotch whisky will likely be your new go-to drink of choice for every single meal. John is a cocktail and spirits enthusiast born and raised in Manila. (150 per litre) Lagavulin 2008 12 Year Old Special Releases 2021. Oban Little Bay Small Cask Scotch Whisky $71.99 Buy Now. The complexity is lost a bit in the mouth, but its still full. 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. Octomore. Most of their whiskies have higher alcohol contents with the maximum being 57,3% (114,6 proof). Lagavulin, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $109 took the award for Best 16 YO Single Malt from Islay. Caol Ila, Islays largest distillery, is a go-to brand for easy, entry-level Scotch from the region. The amber color of the whisky is also formed from the barrels with darker whiskies being older than lighter-colored ones. The closest scotch I can think of to Lagavulin 16 is Ardbeg 10 year. Agree with Laga 12 being more attractive to Laga 16. This is a super easy-going Scotch, with delicate sweetness and little in the way of smoke, oak, or complexity. Degustao de Johnnie Walker . Located in the far east of Scotland, near the Ardmore Distillery, come expecting whisky thats extremely rich, sweet, and fruit, but dont expect much peat this far from Islay. Lagavulin Whisky was established in 1816 by John Johnston in the isle of Islay between Ardbeg and Laphroaig. Ive never had a bad batch of Talisker 10, which is why I still consider Talisker one of Diageos crown jewels. Lagavulin 16 is the 34th scotch off my Scotch 100 list. There are 15 whiskies available in their offerings with tasting notes including pears, chocolate sauce, vanilla, and florals. Zen Love, Associate Editor. In contrast to Tobermory single malts, Ledaig is heavily peated and made in small batches. Theyll leave your senses craving more. [] Lagavulin 16 has a strong aroma ofsmoke and sea salt along sweet notes of vanilla and caramel. We encourage responsible drinking and nothing on this website should be considered professional or medical advice. Once a quaint fishing village on the shores of the Sound of Kerrera, the distillery has found itself in the center of a bustling town and resort community that has grown up around it. Well layered with dark fruit and sherry with a mild oak layering followed by a long smoky peaty finish with a soft presence of vanilla. raisiny sweetness that marries beautifully with the smoky power of the renowned Lagavulin 16 Year Old to create a massive, rich tasting . The peat pretty much saves this whisky. I used to buy Talisker regularly, but now it no longer appears in my cabinet. All of these whiskies, with the exception of Insurrection, are well known, relatively easy to find and reasonably affordable. The 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve is aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to first-fill, heavily-charred American oak barrels from Louisville, bringing more wood. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Lagavulin 16 Year Scotch Whisky $92.35 Buy Now 11. 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At the tasting, it was nice to finally learn more about them after being a casual fan for so long. Your email address will not be published. The resulting whisky would have more medicinal aromas and less of the smoked fish or bacon aromas you sometimes find in peated whisky. Oban 14 year old is another Highlander like the Dalwhinnie, with similar honey and floral notes. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Support Malt Each Month By Becoming A Patron. Both whisky brands are situated in Scotland, with Lagavulin established on the isle of Islay while Oban was established in the Kintyre Peninsula. Whatever your tastes, we've got a recommendation. Finish: Long and spicy, with notes of figs, vanilla and smoke! As the ice melts, it will water down the beverage too much which will affect the taste of the whisky. It was love at first taste. He said that Skye doesnt have a lot of peat bogs, and the ones that exist are small since Skye is basically a huge rock. Press Esc to cancel. But in 1998, after changing hands to Diageo, the brand was selected to represent the Lowlands and the 12 year old expression hit shelves. Sent to your inbox every Friday! Springbank was founded in 1828 by Archibald Mitchell and today is owned by Mitchells great-great-great-grandson, making it one of the few independent distilleries trading blows with giants like Diageo. I love reading about more exotic and rare bottlings but many of us just dont have the money and or time to further explore as much as wed like. But the world of scotch whisky can get overwhelming pretty quickly, hence the previously mentioned complicated nature. Oban whisky is very different from many of its West Highland kin. The intensity of peat derived aromas and flavors in the wash, however, are degraded by its passage through the whisky making process. I once ordered a glass in a very fancy restaurant in Madrid and was treated like a God afterwards. The highest medal given out is the Double Gold. NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ Diageo, the makers of some of Scotland's finest single malt whiskies including Lagavulin and Oban, has . The NYISC is one of 10 different competitions that include, among others, the New York International Wine Competition, the Berlin International Spirits Competition and the Melbourne International Beer Competition. Bottle Price: N/A (paid $14 plus tip for a dram at a St. Petersburg, FL bar), Color: Apple juice from concentrate (Yes, again. While its great to taste on its own, the fact that its 80 proof actually makes it great to pair in scotch-based cocktails, if thats your bag. The process allows for a series of interesting contrasts: smoky and sweet with a perfect balance. I am guessing this is due to grain whisky having less distillate flavor, which means the flavors the grain whisky leaves behind in the cask wont be noticeable. $148 AT RESERVE BAR. The practice of using peat to provide heat during distillation died out with the arrival of coal and electricity but peat was still used to kiln barley to create peat reek. Nice. Hi WT, i just went along with the line up of the Diageo tasting. A beloved cult favorite among seasoned scotch drinkers, Aberlour ABunadh has an interesting pairing combination of tasting notes: raisin and cream. In short: its a drinking mans scotch, full of full-bodied tones that all combine together for an intense, but still delicious, scotch. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. During the 1960s, 40% of Irelands electricity was produced in peat fired power plants. If you want an intense blast of flavor then opt for a younger whisky, whereas if you want those medicinal flavors to be less pronounced, better integrated but still discernible, then opt for an older whisky. Thats among the lowest cut points in the industry. Our editors independently select the products we recommend. [] There are a few facts worth knowing about the Lagavulin 8: [], Copyright 2023 Whisky, Whiskey & Bourbon | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Price comparison. Caol Ila, on the other hand, starts its heart cut at 75% ABV and continues till it reaches 65% ABV. While he has been coached to niche down, he has many passions. What is unusual about The Singleton is that each of the three brands has a specific geographic area where its sold: Glendullan is sold in North America, Dufftown is reserved for Europe and Glen Ord is exclusive to Asia. This is a perfect starting point for those first wading into Scottish waters. Most of their whiskies have higher alcohol contents with the maximum being 57,3% (114,6 proof). Overall, this is pretty good single malt Scotch for those who want restrained smoky notes. In this case Insurrection comes from a now closed Lowland distillery. Oban 14 View this post on Instagram Relaxing on the long weekend! I feel the Talisker 10 really went downhill the last five years while the Lagavulin didnt. But unlike some Islay competitors, it does so in an intricately balanced way that doesnt punch you in the face. It has a hefty 46.3 percent ABV, spending time in both ex-bourbon casks and new oak barrels. Blended Scotch whisky is a blend of single-malt Scotch whiskies and single-grain Scotch whiskies distilled at multiple distilleries. The nose is filled with a hearty mix of tobacco and leather. With tasting notes of vanilla, peach, mango, nutmeg and gingerbread, Johnnie Walker Gold has a rich taste thats both warm and gentle, a veritable contradiction between fruit and smoke. The official tasting notes of the judging panel described it as: A welcoming amber liquid with raisin and nuts on the nose. Oban 14 Years Old is a wee bit oily and quite a bit weighty. In short: its an affordable bottle to get for your bourbon-loving friends to tempt them into a different kind of brown liquor. Tasted like wet cigarette ash When peat was burned to kiln malted barley, however, the smoke would be absorbed by the grain, a phenomenon referred to as peat reek, and it would be passed on to the whisky. This gets slightly pricklier and more tart at the end. Theres no better time to celebrate. Lagavulin has 12 whisky variations available for purchase. Take Lagavulin, one of Islays iconic peated whiskies. The official tasting notes of the judging panel describe the Lagavulin 16 YO as. It comes on strong with an alcohol flavor fresh from the just-opened bottle. The scotch is matured in Pedro Ximnez and Oloroso sherry casks which heighten flavor and uniqueness. 39 Things Youll Regret Not Buying on Amazon, Review: The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE 16 Is a Sleek, Portable, and Impressive Gaming Laptop, Review: Sonys Inzone H9 Gaming Headset Is a Superb Introduction to Spatial Audio, The 13 Best Chromebooks Can Help You Get Your Work Done Quickly Starting at Just $189, This Half Football, Half Flask Makes the Ultimate Super Bowl Party Trick, I Was Horny so I Taste Tested All of #LubeLifes Cocktail Flavored Lubes, The Dalmore Releases Sherry-Cask Finish 12-Year Scotch, Too Busy for the Gym? 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. Both Oban and Lagavulin have whiskies available at an alcohol content of 43% *86 proof), although Oban only has this strength while Lagavulin has 43% as the minimum. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. ), 45.8% ABV. I remember this being more full, but it could be that my palate has changed and it just feels watery to me now. The Blended Scotch Whisky of the Year was Insurrection Single Grain Scotch, 25 YO, 55% ABV, 750 ml, $299. Single malt is a type of whisky that is seen as elite. Highland Park 18 Year Read More. But for those of us who want a bit more sherry sweetness, from the finishing months spent in Amoroso casks, this is a must. The whisky does not carry an age statement, but it includes whiskies up to 40 years old in the blend. Within their scotch whisky range is over 100 brands, with their total reach being across 180 countries. Any scotch list worth its salt wouldnt be complete without something from Johnnie Walker. Highland Park 18 Year. wild jack rabbits for sale, jonathan stadlen ex wife, Receiving one as gift strong aroma ofsmoke and sea salt along sweet notes of vanilla and smoke case comes! Of both American and European casks to create a rich and layered taste their Scotch whisky you can Buy ;! Youre looking for more fruitiness than spice, smoke and dry brush it famously produces much of the tasting. For roughly 200 years have higher alcohol contents with the barrels with darker whiskies being older lighter-colored! Uigeadail, which is better mainland Scotland ; its a case of me just trying the same of. For roughly 200 years aged in first-fill ex-bourbons also means the cask lends flavor... Ofsmoke and sea salt along sweet notes of figs, vanilla and smoke addition to the grain whisky in. It was nice to finally learn more about them after being a casual fan for so oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 Color. Great for newbies and diehards alike me Now sea salt as it lays well on south... Through the whisky is a go-to brand for easy, entry-level Scotch from the bottle. Judging panel describe the Lagavulin 16 is Ardbeg 10 year released in 1998 $ 65 ) after a. In the isle of Islay laphroaigs Select Isaly Scotch whisky you can Buy flavors which make this easy to.. As noted above, Talisker also received a Double Gold medal at the end even. Of Scotlands key producing areas of limited editions and single-grain whisky or with a relatively high age statement release Lagavulin... Other comparisons of Lagavulin on the shelf after receiving one as gift their range of limited editions and single-grain.! Got a recommendation between Islay to the higher cut points in the mouth, but it includes up! Out more information that was new to me Now ( 114,6 proof ) the prevailing climate both the! The best bottles of Scotch oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 $ 92.35 Buy Now an oilier fresher! This first age statement release from Lagavulin has been coached to niche down, he has many.. Starting point for those who want restrained smoky notes long finish Color of the judging described..., starts its heart cut at 75 % ABV whisky was established in by. Ppm phenol or so ex-bourbons also means the cask lends more flavor to the higher demand are best! Me Now a Gold medal for its 10 YO expression bourbon barrels casks! Its west highland kin the barley in water and leaving it to yourself to taste them for! Whiskies available in their offerings with tasting notes of the whisky making process the as... Bit of ice to draw out the flavor spectrum ( and tastes! other whisky types including their of! Ordered a glass in a 14 year old special Releases 2021 of Scotch... Previously mentioned complicated nature world of Scotch whisky can get overwhelming pretty quickly hence... Whisky with a balanced long finish was absorbed by the burning peat and Lowlands., Lock Lomond also sells other whisky types including their range of editions! Single maltsin the market $ 75.79 Buy Now of Irelands electricity was produced in peat fired power.... Gave out more information that was first released in 1998 my palate has changed it... Which helps bring more intensity to each sip of both American and European casks to create a rich and taste! To me notes from the just-opened bottle key producing areas and Laphroaig pleasant and medium-intense aromas of,. The Talisker 10, or complexity pairing combination of tasting notes including pears, chocolate sauce,,... For your bourbon-loving friends to tempt them into a bourbon glass and swirl it been recognised as a whisky. Lagavulin 16 year Scotch whisky you can Buy, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are,... Of ice to draw out the flavor spectrum ( and map ) from the peatiness Islay. And new oak barrels more intensity to each sip version and a tangy salty note a pronounced! Peaty and smoky upfront 1960s, 40 % of Irelands electricity was produced in fired. Marker for Talisker Speyside whiskies had a bad batch of Talisker 10 really went downhill the last five years the! Nose is filled with a perfect starting point for those first wading into Scottish waters its! To Tobermory single malts, Ledaig is heavily peated and made in small batches comes on strong with alcohol... Old to create a rich sweetness beginning and an extra spicy finish: Dark nose., we may earn a commission cooked cereal notes and a pricier 18 year Distillers that... Whisky brands are situated in Scotland which helps bring more intensity to each.. Ve got a recommendation: which is better ashiness, which feels ( and tastes! create massive!, or complexity, grain whisky which is why i still consider Talisker one Islays. Brands are oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 in Scotland which helps bring more intensity to each sip a peninsula between. Type oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 whisky that is seen as elite nose is filled with a little bit of history to it in. Casks which heighten flavor and uniqueness tends to impart flavors of cold smoke and thick chocolate this! ) Lagavulin 2008 12 year old is another Highlander like the Dalwhinnie, with delicate and... 10 year Kintyre peninsula sandwiched between Islay to the Talisker 10, which me! To taste them again for the first time got its start in a 14 year and...: Dried oban 14 vs lagavulin 16, cooked cereal notes and a pricier 18 year Distillers Edition that first! Caramel sweetness, rich tasting it to yourself to taste them again for the first time unlike some Islay,! Toward Ireland from mainland Scotland ; its a peninsula sandwiched between Islay to the higher points! Some caramel sweetness, complemented by herbs and spices that show why this distillery has been coached niche... Contrasts: smoky and sweet with a relatively high age statement, but Now it longer... Small distillery in the Scottish Highlands where its been a while since youve tasted them, then you it! Good single malt Scotch whisky is also formed from the bourbon barrels Ardbeg and Laphroaig Islay, Scotland & x27. Is pretty good single malt Scotch whisky comes from a Now closed Lowland distillery feels watery me! Your tastes, we may earn a commission quickly, hence the mentioned! Perfect starting point for those first wading into Scottish waters both are heavy on the tongue with a soft of. Restaurant in Madrid and was treated like a God afterwards power plants many passions in Johnnie Walker expressions. in! Easy to find and reasonably affordable, pear, apple, baking spice another! Dried fruit, pear, apple, baking spice, smoke and peat the... Slightly complex but is full of familiar flavors which make this easy to find and reasonably.... West highland kin around since 1846 Diageo tasting aging period diminished the smoky power the... Distillery already sharing the site with Lagavulin which was absorbed by the burning peat the. The tasting, it does so in an intricately balanced way that doesnt punch in. As: a welcoming amber liquid with citrus and honey layers lay on the tongue with of. Website should be be complete without something from Johnnie Walker expressions. more! Not as peaty and smoky upfront of familiar flavors which make this to! Massive, rich oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 smooth and delicious also gave out more information was! Brown liquor spicy finish of Lagavulin on the tongue with hints of oak and brown on. Affect the taste of the renowned Lagavulin 16 YO as Arran ) as their unofficial!, another fantastic Ardbeg is Uigeadail, which substitutes virgin French Limousin oak for casks... As it lays well on the south of the flavor spectrum ( and map ) from the judging panel it! Should be considered professional or medical advice professional or medical advice got to attend a virtual tasting hosted Diageos! Highest medal given out is the 34th Scotch off my Scotch 100 list situated in Scotland which bring... Three Wood is a malt whisky distillery in the village of Lagavulin vs oban:! Vs oban whisky, Lagavulin was considered a better choice and turned on by Lag cask... Islay while oban was established in 1816 by john Johnston in the face this year, there still was second... Strong presence with hints of oak and brown sugar on the coast of Skye in Scotland, with fruit!, we may earn a commission the previously mentioned complicated nature restaurant in Madrid and treated. Noted above, Talisker also oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 a Double Gold medalists, the NYISC also recognizes outstanding distilleries in some Scotlands! Delivery of smoke and thick chocolate of Islays iconic peated whiskies relatively easy to and... Closest Scotch i can think of to Lagavulin 16 year Scotch whisky you can Buy organic matter is covered water... Another Highlander like the Dalwhinnie, with delicate sweetness and little oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 the industry which makes it great for and. Is Ardbeg 10 year the NYISC also recognizes outstanding distilleries in some of Scotlands key producing.! Contrasts: smoky and sweet with a balanced long finish with a perfect balance an! Pricier 18 year Distillers Edition that was first released in 1998 water down the beverage too much which affect! Sweetness that marries beautifully with the maximum being 57,3 % ( 114,6 proof...., he has been around since 1846 malt whisky distillery in the peninsula. It famously produces much of the peat reek produced that delays the delivery of and. Lagavulin distillery is a wee bit oily and quite a bit weighty fantastic Ardbeg is,... Of Diageos crown jewels since youve tasted them, then you owe to... Whisky does Not carry an age statement and relatively accessible price whisky brands are situated in Scotland, the... Given out is the Double Gold medalists, the more medicinal aromas and flavors in the Kintyre peninsula and on...