Tasting Notes

By The Master of Malt

Originally there was a 12 year old expression but when Diageo launched the Classic Malt series in the 1980s, Lagavulin 16 Year Old was introduced and became the distillery's flagship bottling. A much sought-after single malt Scotch whisky with the massive peat-smoke that's typical of southern Islay - but also offering richness and a dryness that turns it into a truly interesting tipple. Lagavulin 16 year old has truly become a benchmark Islay dram from the Lagavulin distillery. If you're looking for a food pairing for this beauty, try intensely flavoured salty blue cheeses, which complement the intense, peat rich, sweet and salty character of this Lagavulin wonderfully. A classic Scotch whisky, Lagavulin's 16 year old is a benchmark malt from Islay's south coast. This is perhaps more smoky than peaty, and has a wonderful flavour that pertains to Lapsang Souchong tea…

Nose

More like Lapsang Souchong tea than Lapsang Souchong! One of the smokiest noses from Islay. It's big, very, very concentrated, and redolent of iodine, sweet spices, good, mature Sherry and creamy vanilla. Stunning.

Palate

Very thick and rich. A massive mouthful of malt and Sherry with good fruity sweetness, but also a wonderful sweetness. Big, powerful peat and oak.

Finish

Long, spicy finish, figs, dates, peat smoke, vanilla.