Bottle 05: Lagavulin 16
Lagavulin 16
Distillery: Lagavulin Distillery
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Age: 16 years
ABV: 43%
Cask type(s): Ex-bourbon and ex-sherry Grain Bill: 100% malted barley
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Intensely flavoured, peat smoke with iodine and seaweed and a rich, deep sweetness.
- Palate: Dry peat smoke fills the palate with a gentle but strong sweetness, followed by sea and salt with touches of wood.
- Finish: A long, elegant peat-filled finish with lots of salt and seaweed.
- Other Notes: “Best enjoyed from a traditional whisky glass, neat or with a little still water. Room-temperature water can bring out the hidden aromas and flavours of the whisky, making it more mellow and easy to drink.”
The Islay Region
“No island in the world owes more to whisky than Islay and there are few blends which do not owe something to Islay whisky” - R.J.S McDowall, The Whiskies of Scotland (1967)
Islay is one of the most southern islands off the west coast of Scotland. Whisky has likely been produced there for nearly 700 years. It also has a reputation of having some of the most unique tasting whiskies in the world. Islay was historically well-connected to shipping routes, and had plenty of seaweed-laced peat on the island which provided a distinct taste that was in heavy demand.
While some whiskies boast of their “vanilla” and “stonefruit” flavors, some Islay distilleries proudly list on the tasting notes of their whiskies “seaweed”, “medicinal”, “tar”, “campfire”, or “wet band-aids”. Here are two opinions put to holiday music.
Lagavulin 16 is a well-known, classic expression of an Islay region scotch. The earthiness and smokiness is balanced out by the secondary casking in ex-bourbon and ex=sherry casks, building a strong sweet backbone into the whisky that complements the peat smoke nicely. If the flavors are too much, add a little water (drop by drop) to open it up a bit.
Of course, whisky regions and flavors are mostly correlated by tradition these days than for any real reason. If you don’t like this islay, keep trying— there’s plenty of variation.
Music to drink to
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in