Bottle 21: Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition

advent
whisky
Published

December 21, 2025

Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition

Distillery: Lagavulin Distillery
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Age: NAS
ABV: 43%
Cask type(s): American Oak and ex-Pedro Ximenez Grain Bill: 100% malted barley

Tasting Notes

  • Nose: Satisfying and enticing; intense peat, vanilla. A raisiny sweetness checks the smoke. Crisp, roasty malt.
  • Palate: Sweet and luscious; clear malt, smoke fills the mouth. Very salty tang; coffee, vanilla, a glimmer of fruit.
  • Finish: Incredibly long, even for Islay. Fruit, peat, and long-lasting oak. Very engaging and enjoyable.

Whisky Stuff

Mód Þrýþe Ne Wæg

by C.S. Lewis

Hail oh hostess, whose heart knows not
The temper of Þrýþ. Talk was kindly,
Whetted with whiskey. The white blanket,
Winter’s weaving, worked about us
Till the house was hush’d, the hearth brighter,
And bed-time better. In billowy nest
The stranger stretched − stove beside him −
Bless’d, blanket-warm, blithely slumbered
Thro’ noiseless night. Noble weaver
Of people’s peace, your poor servant,
Nat Whilk by name, on knee bended
Gives you grammercy for guest-friendship.

Learn more about C.S. Lewis’s long-lost poem here

Advent Reflection

Verse/Reflection

Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55, ESV)

"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

Prayer

God of promise,
you have given us a sign of your love
through the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior,
who was promised from ages past.
We believe as Mary and Joseph did
the message of your presence
whispered by an angel,
and offer our prayers for your world,
confident of your care and mercy for all creation. Amen.