Scotch whisky is even more complex than you’re probably aware of (look away bourbon lovers). If you crack open a random bottle of bourbon, the chances are it will have a similar aroma and flavour profile to another randomly selected bottle. The same can’t be said about single-malt Scotch whisky (yes, we’re a little biased).
This is because, if you didn’t know it already, there are five main Scotch whisky regions, and each makes whiskies with subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) different aromas and flavours.
While you might have difficulty finding the nuanced differences between a Highland and Speyside whisky, we can guarantee you can pick out a bottle from Islay even in a blind taste test. This is because (in general) whiskies from this sheep-filled Inner Hebrides island are peat-smoked. This means that on top of the expected single malt Scotch flavours of candied orange peels, vanilla, caramel, and more, it has a robust, potent kick of campfire smoke.
There are currently nine distilleries operating on the island. They include the likes of Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Bowmore, and Bruichladdich. And while there are countless memorable expressions from these and the other distilleries on Islay, one of our favourites is Lagavulin 16.
RELATED: We recently visited Laphroaig to see what smoke and peat are all about.
What is Lagavulin 16-Year-Old?
- Brand: Lagavulin
- Release: 16-Year-Old
- Style: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Region: Islay
- ABV: 43%
- Age Statement: 16 Year Old
- Price: from AU$150
While many distilleries have a flagship single malt Scotch whisky that’s been aged for ten or even 12 years, the folks at Lagavulin opted for their flagship expression to mature for a full sixteen years.
Actor, writer, and humorist Nick Offerman’s favourite brand makes this iconic, beloved expression that’s made with peat-smoked barley and aged for a minimum of sixteen full years in oak barrels. It’s a complex, memorable, and perfect addition to your home bar or bar cart.
What is peat again? If this is your first time experiencing a ‘peated’ whisky, you might be confused by the word. You might wonder if it’s the same peat as the organic material found in bogs and marshes. Well, it is. While most single malt (and blended) Scotch whisky is made with dry malted barley, distillers smoke malted barley over peat fires to make peat-smoked whisky. The more peat smoke, the bolder and smokier the flavour. While some mainland distilleries (including Campbeltown) make peat-smoked whiskies, the most well-known can be found on Islay. This includes Lagavulin, which we’re looking at here.
Why is it so popular? Lagavulin 16 is famous for a variety of reasons. You’ll have difficulty finding one with a better quality-to-price ratio when it comes to long-aged single-malt Scotch whiskies. It’s surprisingly well-balanced, smoky, dry, and highly flavourful. It’s the kind of whiskies that takes multiple samplings to find all the aromas and flavours. And believe us. All it takes is one sip to get hooked on this sublime whisky.
How should you enjoy it? After our above description, you should have a pretty good idea of how you will want to enjoy this iconic single-malt Scotch whisky. We aren’t here to tell you how to enjoy a whisky. And you can mix this into a penicillin or another Scotch whisky-based drink. But a complex and mature whisky deserves to be sipped neat or with a splash or two of water to open it up. Find a comfortable spot, put your feet up, sip it slowly, and take a moment to just be in the moment.
How Much is Lagavulin 16-Year-Old?
Priced from around AU$150 at the time of publishing, Lagavulin 16-Year-Old isn’t as expensive as you would first assume. Even though it’s been matured for a full 16 years, it’s surprisingly inexpensive for a bottle of this magnitude.
It’s no bargain, but for the quality and experience, the price can hardly be beaten.
Are there any good alternatives? You’ll probably buy a bottle of Lagavulin 16 and realize you enjoy the aromas and flavours. Lucky for you, there are a handful of other expressions from different distilleries (and the same one) that you’ll want to try. You might want to try the Lagavulin Nick Offerman editions and single malt whiskies from Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, and Coal Ila.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything from Islay. Just be aware that even though most Islay single malts are peated, they aren’t all smoky. Bruichladdich (on top of its smoke bombs) and Bunnahabhain are two distilleries well-known for having non-peated expressions.
Does it Smell Good on the Nose?
If you’ll get the most out of any bottle of whisky, you’ll probably give it a proper nosing before you take your first taste. It’s a great way to get quietly acquainted with the dram. We suggest pouring Lagavulin 16 into a Glencairn glass to get the most out of the tasting experience. But if you don’t have one, that’s okay. This is an excellent whisky in any glass.
When you nose this whisky, you’ll be met with notes of sea salt, ocean brine, iodine, candied oranges, grilled bacon, dark chocolate, dried fruits, smoked tree nuts, and robust campfire smoke. While this nose has a sweetness and complexity, the peaty smoke swirls throughout and envelopes your senses from the start.
How Does Lagavulin 16-Year-Old Taste?
Spend a moment nosing this elegant dram, and then crack in. The immersive barbecue note will strike you immediately on the palate, with this peated smoke noticeable from your first sip to your last.
However, it’s more than simply a smoke bomb with no complexity. It’s also loaded with flavours of salted caramel, seaweed, brine, candied oranges, charred oak, dark chocolate, toasted vanilla beans, and dried fruits. The finish is sweet, smoky, and effortlessly warming. It’s a balanced, complex single malt whisky that needs to be tasted to be believed.
Man of Many’s Verdict on Lagavulin 16-Year-Old
This isn’t a bargain bottle of single malt Scotch by any means. But is it worth the price tag? If you ask us, it absolutely is worth it. It’s hard to beat the quality of Lagavulin’s flagship expression. When you crack open this bottle, you’re getting a nuanced, complex, smoky, balanced sipping whisky that spent a full sixteen years maturing in European oak barrels. With salted caramel, ocean brine, campfire smoke, citrus peels, vanilla, and oak, this whisky runs the gamut of flavour complexity.
If you enjoy smoky whiskies, very few are better for the price. Trust us. Buy one bottle and you’ll find yourself a permanent member of your home bar or bar cart. Sipping and mixing are must-have expressions. It’s one of these whiskies that you taste and instantly become a fan for life.
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