Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Spicy, Maritime, Costal2022-05-10
We can no longer count how many bottles it is now. It may even be the 6th or 7th. We often hear that Lagavulin 16 has lost some of its quality. We absolutely do not see it that way. We have had at least consistent quality over the last 12 or 13 years. But perhaps the competition has become stronger, so that the Islay malt no longer stands out so much?
Smell
On the nose, Lagavulin 16 always reminds us of an old leather sofa in a dark corner with an oak table on which berries are standing. We smell strong peat smoke, iodine and earth. A berry note coats various sweet smoky aromas with a certain saltiness at the edge.
Taste
Peat smoke spreads softly and very intensively. The following sweetness, which covers everything, is gradually replaced by a maritime saltiness. Later, a light oak note and, with a little imagination, a kind of crème brûlée become perceptible. The composition reminds us a little of slightly burnt wholemeal spelt toast.
Finish
Full and with lots of salt and peat smoke, the Lagavulin 16 years says goodbye. It lingers for a long time.
Conclusion
A classic with a perfect combination of complexity and intensity that does not seem overloaded but has a very good balance. The rich and deep flavours always make for characterful enjoyment. We would even go so far as to say that Lagavulin 16 Years is the benchmark for all other peated Islay Whiskys. You can't go wrong here and the price is almost even at the lower end of the price range for a 16 year matured single malt whisky. You don't do anything wrong here.