Lagavulin 16yo
ABV - 43%
Distillery - Port Ellen, Islay
Water source - The Solan Lochs
Region - Islay
The distillery at Port Ellen on Islay has been producing their peaty whisky for over 200 years so know a bit about the secrets of their art... It's thought even to have had Illicit distilling taking place since 1742 on the site!
Incredibly for such an icon of those who love peaty single malts, the majority of its production goes into White Horse blends!!!
The Islay representative in the 'Classic Malts' series is a deep, dry and exceptionally peaty bruiser. Considered by some as the most pungent of all Islay malts (Laphroaig would get my vote for that award), Lagavulin is not for the faint-hearted but inspires fanatical devotion in its many followers. The 16 year old is the core expression of Lagavulin and has (deservedly) garnered cult status amongst whisky fans and peatheads worldwide. Each facet of the dram is distinctive and should be savoured.
Nose - like a Lapsang Souchong tea!; big, concentrated and plenty of iodine; with sweet spices, mature sherry and creamy vanilla.
Palate - very thick and rich; a massive mouthful of sherry with smoky sweetness; big. powerful oak and peat
Finish - Long; spicy finish; figs and dates amongst peat smoke and vanilla