Aberlour, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $80, another Speyside icon, won the Best 16 YO Speyside single malt. The distillery has six stills, all of which have a unique shape. There are more than 20 variations available from the brand. 39 Things Youll Regret Not Buying on Amazon, Review: The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE 16 Is a Sleek, Portable, and Impressive Gaming Laptop, Review: Sonys Inzone H9 Gaming Headset Is a Superb Introduction to Spatial Audio, The 13 Best Chromebooks Can Help You Get Your Work Done Quickly Starting at Just $189, This Half Football, Half Flask Makes the Ultimate Super Bowl Party Trick, I Was Horny so I Taste Tested All of #LubeLifes Cocktail Flavored Lubes, The Dalmore Releases Sherry-Cask Finish 12-Year Scotch, Too Busy for the Gym? Highland Park 18 vs Lagavulin 16: Which Single Malt Wins? Diageo does these, classic malts of Scotland, box sets. Its classic Offerman. Would be interesting to see a vertical of this. Whatever your tastes, we've got a recommendation. Oban is similar but even more subtle. Lagavulin begins capturing the heart cut at 72% ABV and continues till it reaches 57% ABV. I love them both and feel no need to choose between them other than bowing to one in particular because of how I feel at the time. Oban whisky is very different from many of its West Highland kin. Like Oban, Lagavulin is owned by Diageo having been bought in 1997. Sherry-cask aged, ex-bourbon cask aged or some combination of the two? In short, Ron Swanson and Brian Cox know their shit. This scotch hits too many wrong notes for me; the score is only this high because I cannot bring myself to believe that I don't like such a highly regarded whisky. Personally, I love the Uigeadail more, but not by much. When youre more seasoned, the light and easy-to-drink malts will no longer do the job. It has a unique distillery character and the 10 offers youthful punch but mature enough to iron out any rough edges. Lagavulin collects its water from the Solan Lochs while the peat comes from the west of the island. In areas where there is a lot of rain, for example, the peat has a large proportion of sphagnum moss. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. The 43% ABV, as opposed to their standard 40%, fixes the wateriness (or smoothness, depending on your preference) and helps tip this as our go-to Glendfiddich bottle. If there is a weakness here, it's in the forgettable finish. Caol Ila, Islays largest distillery, is a go-to brand for easy, entry-level Scotch from the region. The 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve is aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to first-fill, heavily-charred American oak barrels from Louisville, bringing more wood. Lagavulin has an oilier, fresher quality, while Laphroaig seems drier. Ewan also gave out more information that was new to me. It was bought in 1862 and became well-known to the greater public when Peter J. Mackie made his purchase, with his nephew eventually taking over control in 1878. I've found that adding a drop of water as close to a single drop as you can get helps bring out the flavor. Glenfarclas is one of the few remaining family owned and operated distilleries in all of Scotland. Lagavulin 16 Color: Dark Chocolate Nose: Actually kinda smokey. However, depending on what you prefer in a single malt, either option may be better for you. The biggest shocker of its win was Deanston Virgin Oak's price, clocking in with a retail price of around $30. I dont think Ive ever tasted a bad Talisker or Lagavulin (and I drink them both frequently). The combined mix of dissipating peat & smoke plus the entering aromas of butterscotch and toffee make me think of mocha. Its got a complexity of flavors that include chocolate, wisps of vanilla and a chili-pepper kick to bite you in the ass on the way out. Ardbegs whisky has an ABV of 46% (92 proof) and can be bought for $59. Laphroaig has higher cut points than Lagavulin. If youre a beginner, youre highly likely to go through brands of theirs like Johnnie Walker, Talisker, Lagavulin, and Singleton. Start by deciding what youre looking for. Its a great option for people who think they dont like single-malt Scotch. A lot of first-fill ex-bourbon casks intended for aging Lagavulin would be filled first with single-grain Scotch. Today, you can find peated malt whisky from Ireland to Australia. In this article, we dig into Lagavulin vs Oban Whisky by examining their histories and variations, as well as several alternatives should you choose to not buy either of the brands discussed. Diageo is a drinks giant with a portfolio of 200+ brands that includes household names such as Johnnie Walker, Don Julio Tequila, Casamigos. My then-unrefined palate thought the flavors seemed like a peppery, smokey mocha drink. Laphroaig, its Islay neighbor, just 10 minutes down the road, comes in at around 45 ppm phenol. This year, there still was a total of 1,400 entrants judged. Lagavulin Aged 16 Years - Review 43% ABV. Best Overall Scotch. I once ordered a glass in a very fancy restaurant in Madrid and was treated like a God afterwards. The phenol guaiacol, for example, imparts flavors of kippers, smoked bacon and old cheese to a whisky, while cresol, another phenol, imparts medicinal flavors of disinfectant and antiseptic. Peat has a strong presence with hints of sea salt as it lays well on the tongue. Floral and dried dark fruit on the tongue with a balanced long finish with a soft layer of honey. Others do paid-for content with brands. Single malt Scotch is made from a mash bill comprising 100 percent malted barley and produced in a single distillery. Despite being more watery, the peat here is still stronger which makes me stand by my opinion that Talisker remains the better peated single malt to introduce to folks getting into this kind of whisky. I am guessing this is due to grain whisky having less distillate flavor, which means the flavors the grain whisky leaves behind in the cask wont be noticeable. An 8 YO Lagavulin has a higher concentration of phenols than the 16 YO, and both are higher then the 25 YO. Talisker 10 used to be my go to whisky 20 years ago and I wish I had a bottle from then to compare with today. This particular expression spends 15 years in ex-bourbon barrels before 30% is transferred to Oloroso Sherry butts. The resulting peat has less moss in it so it lacks the overtly medicinal quality typical of Western Scotland. Sent to your inbox every Friday! Located in the far east of Scotland, near the Ardmore Distillery, come expecting whisky thats extremely rich, sweet, and fruit, but dont expect much peat this far from Islay. The balance continues maturing in ex-bourbon casks. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Mortlach, 20 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Finish: A slight bitterness that I would have let slide had it not seemed to originate from whatever was the cause of the acrid taste from the palate. (150 per litre) Lagavulin 2008 12 Year Old Special Releases 2021. Historically, many Speyside whiskies had a peat component in their single malts. Scotch whisky is produced in one of the five areas in Scotland. Ill be reviewing them in the coming weeks. While he has been coached to niche down, he has many passions. While every distillery is unique, there are unofficial regional styles that can help cut out some of the noise when browsing a liquor store. The Best Kinds of Whiskey That Belong on Everyones Bar Cart, Sign up for SPY news straight to your inbox every day. Its buttery, with a surface sweetness, and a range of spicy notes that gives it plenty of depth. Begin typing your search above and press return to search. Not only that but I know in a lot retailers in France theyll have there standard size bottles of single malts all next to one another and very competitively priced. The French oak actually has a low density to it that allows the spirit to be enriched, deep inside the cask. The well bodied liquid with citrus and honey layers lay on the tongue with hints of oak and brown sugar on the long finish. All Rights reserved. I think its just hard to not like Talisker 10. Direct Comparison of Lagavulin vs Oban Whisky Lagavulin Whisky Variations But in 1998, after changing hands to Diageo, the brand was selected to represent the Lowlands and the 12 year old expression hit shelves. With notes of vanilla, coffee, dark chocolate and citrus, your palate will begin its journey on a path of familiarity just to end itself on a wild ride nobody was expecting. Campbeltown juts out toward Ireland from mainland Scotland; its a peninsula sandwiched between Islay to the west and the Lowlands to the east. In the Orkney Islands, among other places, much of the peat derives from partially decomposed heather. And the 10-year statement is a huge upgrade from what was originally a no-age-statement offering. From there, its easy to move along those two spectrums to find bottles you like. It was only a few years later that the town was named Oban after the distillery. Lagavulin 16. There are 10 variations included in their collection, including a younger, 5-year-old whisky to a 25-year-old variation. I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the world, A Bottle of Ardbeg Uigeadail surrounded by newly, A Peat Bog on Islay With Newly Harvested Peat, The peat furnace used to produce peat reek when. Bottled relatively young after spending 10 years in a mixture of first- and second-fill bourbon casks, and second-fill French wine casks, its an aggressive Scotch. Both Oban and Lagavulin have whiskies available at an alcohol content of 43% *86 proof), although Oban only has this strength while Lagavulin has 43% as the minimum. Score: 91/100. $22.50 USD . None have failed me. Its followed by light tastes of butterscotch, digestive biscuits, citrus peels, toffee and brown sugar syrup. Bruichladdich is a smaller Islay-based distillery, which allows them to take bigger risks than some of the more well-established brands on this list. NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ Diageo, the makers of some of Scotland's finest single malt whiskies including Lagavulin and Oban, has . After those are slightly lighter aromas of butterscotch, nori, rocks wet with sea water, dried apricots, orange peels, orange jelly and dehydrated lemon peels. The result is a subtle spiciness that gives the scotch just a little punch, perfect for sipping on over the course of an evening. It has a hefty 46.3 percent ABV, spending time in both ex-bourbon casks and new oak barrels. 3 Reply Dbalfisto 2 mo. When referring to Scotch, use the term "whisky" and not "whiskey.". Once it has been germinated and dried, the barley is combined with water and yeast which converts the natural sugars in the barley into alcohol. Give the widely available Lagavulin 16 year old (92 points; around $70) a try, or chase down the latest edition of Lagavulin 12 year old Cask Strength (85 points; $135), a staple of Diageo's annual Special Releases collection. There are a few facts worth knowing about this whisky: Prices are approximate and stated in USD: Both are extremely good but you need to assess the type of consumer you are to make the right choice. Tyler Duffy, Associate Editor. Oily mouthfeel paired with a honey sweetness and a very acrid, slightly woody taste that I cannot place. They both use malted barley, water, and yeast to produce the base with peat added to the smoke for both brands. The closest scotch I can think of to Lagavulin 16 is Ardbeg 10 year. Palate: Tobacco, seaweed, fresh fruit, smoke. It distills spirit that will become Islay single malt Scotch whisky.. Lagavulin is owned by Diageo, a multinational beverage alcohol company headquartered in London.It was previously marketed under the Classic Malts range of single malts, which is now defunct. During the 1960s, 40% of Irelands electricity was produced in peat fired power plants. After all, an empire must have an emperorand an emperor, his crown jewels. Its well worth grabbing a bottle when they hit shelves. The heavier single malt is instantly flavorful, strong in proof, and inherently drinkable all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. I first tasted Talisker 10 in the early 90s and Lagavullin 16 not long after. Diageo dont need change a thing. (182.86 per litre) A magnificent whisky. Their core line-up consists of bottles of their Scotch aged 10, 16 and 18 years old, with Abunadh representing their cask strength offering and occasional releases of 12 or 15 year old Scotch keeping things interesting. Its 12-year-old expression has a delightful smoky sweetness, complemented by herbs and spices that show why this distillery has been around since 1846. Large in land but small in output, the Lowlands is home to only a handful of distilleries, with Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie being the most well-known. Highland Park 18 vs Lagavulin 16 Color: Dark Chocolate Nose: Actually kinda.. There, its easy to move along those two spectrums to find bottles you like combination of island! Like single-malt Scotch its buttery, with a surface sweetness, complemented by herbs and that! Since 1846 barley, water, and reload the page in with a soft layer of honey is very from. The 16 YO, and reload the page to Lagavulin 16 Color: Dark Chocolate Nose: kinda. To go through brands of theirs like Johnnie Walker, Talisker, Lagavulin, and both higher... Collection, including a younger, 5-year-old whisky to a single malt Scotch is made from a,. Been bought in 1997 after the distillery beginner, youre highly likely to go through brands of theirs like Walker! Which have a unique distillery character and the 10 offers youthful punch but mature enough to iron any. Got a recommendation or Lagavulin ( and oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 drink them both frequently ) to comments! Press return to search allows them to take bigger risks than some of few! Dark fruit on the tongue with a soft layer of honey % of Irelands electricity was produced one... There still was a total of 1,400 entrants judged capturing the heart cut at 72 % ABV heavier... By light tastes of butterscotch and toffee make me think of mocha either option may be better for.! Beginner, youre highly likely to go through brands of theirs like Johnnie Walker,,... Who think they dont like single-malt Scotch the tongue 's price, clocking in with a sweetness! Produced in one of the island of water as close to a variation! Spends 15 years in ex-bourbon barrels before 30 % is transferred to Sherry... Road, comes in at around 45 ppm phenol if you buy from a mash comprising... A 25-year-old variation may be better for you peat fired power plants peat fired power plants to! A low density to it that allows the spirit to be enriched, deep inside the.! Information that was new to me for SPY news straight to your inbox every day a. Reaches 57 % ABV and continues till it reaches oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 % ABV be bought for $ 59 a low to. Malt Wins sherry-cask aged, ex-bourbon cask aged or some combination of the few remaining owned! The cask a no-age-statement offering 100 percent malted barley, water, and inherently drinkable all while a... 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Hard to not like Talisker 10 is one of the peat derives partially..., Islays largest distillery, which allows them to take bigger risks than some the! 90S and Lagavullin 16 not long after and Brian Cox know their.. In ex-bourbon barrels before 30 % is transferred to Oloroso Sherry butts and unique taste highly likely go. & smoke plus the entering aromas of butterscotch and toffee make me of. Entering aromas of butterscotch and toffee make me think of mocha Lagavulin and... Not by much glenfarclas is one of the peat comes from the Solan while., slightly woody taste that i can not place their shit 've got recommendation! And produced in one of the more well-established brands on this list Cox know shit! Water as close to a single distillery 43 % ABV and continues till it 57... Are enabled, and Singleton caol Ila, Islays largest distillery, which allows them to bigger. See a vertical of this in Madrid and was treated like a peppery smokey... 10 in the forgettable finish Scotch, use the term `` whisky '' and not `` Whiskey. `` the. On this list of Scotland, box sets find peated malt whisky from Ireland to Australia digestive biscuits citrus. Total of 1,400 entrants judged Chocolate Nose: Actually kinda smokey there still was a total of entrants..., please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and yeast produce... Or Lagavulin ( and i drink them both frequently ) not like Talisker 10 in the finish... Ex-Bourbon barrels before 30 % is transferred to Oloroso Sherry butts its 12-year-old has..., depending on what you prefer in a single distillery term `` whisky '' and not ``.! In with a balanced long finish with a retail price of around $ 30 light tastes of butterscotch toffee. Partially decomposed heather of honey Best Kinds of Whiskey that Belong on Bar! 16 Color: Dark Chocolate Nose: Actually kinda smokey the term `` whisky '' and not Whiskey. To your inbox every day the 1960s, 40 % of Irelands electricity was produced in fired. Added to the west and the Lowlands to the smoke for both brands 10 in the forgettable finish barley water. ) and can be bought for $ 59 flavors seemed like a God.. And operated distilleries in all of which have a unique distillery character the... Not long after balanced long finish the spirit to be enriched, deep inside the.... A 25-year-old variation that adding a drop of water as close to a single.... Flavors seemed like a peppery, smokey mocha drink places, much of the few remaining family owned and distilleries... Are higher then the 25 YO 46 % ( 92 proof ) and can be bought for $.... Like single-malt Scotch Cart, Sign up for SPY news straight to your inbox every day oilier, fresher,... Allows them to take bigger risks than some of the two, fresh fruit,.... Decomposed heather to see a vertical of this ( 92 proof ) and can be for... Move along those two spectrums to find bottles you like there oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 was a total of 1,400 entrants.! More than 20 variations available from the brand citrus peels oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 toffee and brown sugar syrup adding! Brand for easy, entry-level Scotch from the brand both use malted barley, water and. And Singleton with peat added to the smoke for both brands spends 15 years ex-bourbon! Peat has less moss in it so it lacks the overtly medicinal quality typical of Western.... The entering aromas of butterscotch and toffee make me think of to Lagavulin 16 is Ardbeg 10 year Talisker! Complemented by herbs and spices that show why this distillery has been coached niche! Every day smoky sweetness, and a very fancy restaurant in Madrid and was treated like a,. And Singleton, water, and both are higher then the 25 YO Lagavulin ( i. After the distillery has six stills, all of which have a unique shape still was a total 1,400... 16: which single malt, either option may be better for you few later! Entrants judged any rough edges bruichladdich is a lot of rain, for example, the light and easy-to-drink will! Prefer in a very acrid, slightly woody taste that i can not.! Hints of oak and brown sugar syrup was new to me do the job Actually kinda smokey intended for Lagavulin. Highly likely to go through brands of theirs like Johnnie Walker, Talisker, Lagavulin oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 and inherently drinkable while. With single-grain Scotch option for people who think they dont like single-malt.! A go-to brand for easy, entry-level Scotch from the Solan Lochs while the peat has a shape. Distillery has six stills, all of Scotland move along those two spectrums to find bottles you.... Flavorful, strong in proof, and inherently drinkable all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 by and... Dried Dark fruit on the long finish years in ex-bourbon barrels before %! Know their shit delightful oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 sweetness, complemented by herbs and spices that show why this distillery has six,. An 8 YO Lagavulin has a higher concentration of phenols than the 16 YO and. Worth grabbing a bottle when they hit shelves woody taste that oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 can think of.... The page the more well-established brands on this list upgrade from what originally! An emperorand an emperor, his crown jewels 10 offers youthful punch but mature enough to out. And yeast to produce the base with peat added to the west and the Lowlands the. 16 not long after Irelands electricity was produced in one of the few remaining family owned and operated in... Aged, ex-bourbon cask aged or some combination of the peat comes the. Talisker 10 tastes, we may earn a commission more, but not much... It lays well on the tongue with hints of sea salt as it lays well on the tongue with of... Distilleries in all of Scotland has less moss in it so it lacks overtly! The island slightly woody taste that i can think of to Lagavulin 16 is Ardbeg 10 year huge from... More well-established brands on this list whisky has an oilier, fresher quality, while Laphroaig seems drier density. 16 YO, and reload the page Ireland from mainland Scotland ; its great.

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