Whisky of the month III (February-March): Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition

March 22, 2009 in Whisky | 2 comments

Having gone a bit soft for the first two editions of WOTM, it’s time to talk about a real bollock-busting dram. The standard Lagavulin is a 16 year old malt, a real beauty of a whisky packed with peaty intensity. Just before Christmas I got hold of the Distiller’s Edition. This is a bit like a regular 16 Y/O, except that it’s been double matured, which means that at least part of its maturation has been inside Spanish sherry casks.

lag

I reckon this version is absolutely superb. It has the firey yet smooth explosion of flavour seen with the regular 16 Y/O, with a little hint of sweetness from the sherry cask maturation. Towards the end you get the most fantastic warm, slightly salty afterglow. There’s a good bucket-full of peat throughtout. It’s certainly a full-blooded Islay, but with a satisfying complexity that goes beyond the sensory napalming of the Laphroaigs.

lag-2What a wonderful colour… deep amber and delicious. This is truly a whisky to be a savoured slowly. I plan on stretching mine out for as long as possible, sharing it with as few lucky people as I can get away with… It’s a whisky to inspire selfishness.

2 comments

  1. U Ralph’s avatar

    U Ralph on April 24, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    Lad, a wee bitty a advice fra an auld friend. I note wa awe the evaporation which has taken place from ‘within’ the bottle of malt you so eloquently write about. How does such a thing happen? Tis this a mystery or is it some maternal problem you might be suffering from? I understand this can happen! Now, can I suggest a little idea which ye might be kind enough to act upon. Get yoursell a wee bottle, about a half pint would suffice. Fill this bottle with what is left in the bottle of malt and send this to me for secure, safe, satisfying and sound keeping. I will look after this till I see you next time when I will bring the bottle to you and we can ensure that it is in drinking condition, so to speak! – unless something, like my memory, makes me forget. That happens sometimes when you get over 45 ye ken. Or has yer refinement of selfishness been developed beyond hope?

  2. mike’s avatar

    mike on May 17, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    Well well U Ralph, you’ve left me lost fae wurds.

    Tell you what though, as a compromise by way of ensuring my good health’ the next time you’re up in Old Smokey I’ll introduce you tae old Laggie :)

    Mike

Comments are now closed.