Single Malt

Lagavulin 16-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review
Photo courtesy of Diageo

Photo courtesy of Diageo

Lagavulin is Diageo’s smokiest Islay whisky.  It’s certainly a favorite of Nick Offerman, who is the distillery’s current celebrity ambassador.  You can watch ten hours (yes, 10 hours) of Nick Offerman drinking Lagavulin 16-year Scotch in front of a burning yule log.

The distillery has been around legally since 1816, which makes 2016 it’s 200th anniversary.  It’s located close to Islay town of Port Ellen, which also was home to the legendary distillery.  That distillery closed its doors in the early 1980s.

Photo courtesy of Diageo

Photo courtesy of Diageo

Lagavulin’s core expression is a 16-year-old single malt.  The nose is rich, sweet and smoky.  I’d describe it as smoky first and peaty a distant second.  A strong orange rind note is also present, along with a touch of seaweed.  Toffee adds sweetness on the nose and the palate.  The entry is surprisingly not as sweet as the nose lends me to believe.  Smoke, brine and an herbal note start things off.  There’s a bit of peat here, but again, it seems to be a small contributor.  A nice burned orange peel and tropical fruit show up on the back palate.  The ashy smoke finish is long.  Even though it’s bottled at 43% abv, Lagavulin 16-year feels slightly anemic in terms of mouthfeel.

I like Lagavulin 16-year.  It’s richer, smokier, and heavier in character than it’s Islay cousin, Caol Ila.  Even better is the limited edition 12-year-old expression of Lagavulin.  I’ll give that yearly release a proper review in the future.  Back the the 16.  It’s really a nice pour of whisky, and while I don’t have any real complaints or nitpicks, I do wish it were bottled at a slightly higher proof.   Recommended.

8.5/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Diageo.)

The Macallan 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Review

Macallan 12

The Macallan has built a reputation synonymous with luxury and quality.  Older expressions are some the most valued whiskies among collectors.  It’s a Highland distillery that is generally known as a sherry bomb.  That’s because, with the exception of their Fine Oak line, all their whisky is aged in sherry casks.  Macallan claims it imports most of the sherry casks coming out of Spain.  It’s clear they take their wood selection seriously.

Macallan’s Sherry Oak line ranges from the base 12-year-old expression all the way to a pricy 30-year-old single malt.  Again, all the whiskies here are aged exclusively in ex-sherry casks.  It’s a style of whisky I tend to enjoy.

On the nose, the sherry cask influence can’t be clearer.  There’s an initial blast of dried fruit and a sweet sherry note, followed by some malted grain and a little toffee.  Entry on the palate is all toffee and soft vanilla, over a bed of sherried fruit and spice.  There’s a welcome touch of smoke.  It’s not a peaty smoke, more a wood smoke.  Just a touch.  Mulled wine ends the experience in a rich, slightly dry finish.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of tasting a classic sherried whisky, I would suggest you start with this Macallan 12-year-old or Glenfarclas 12-year-old.  Macallan is generally more readily available.  What we have here is a rich, fruit-sweet and slightly spicy Highland single malt.  It’s priced a little higher than a standard 12-year-old Scotch at about $60.  I’d love to see it slightly cheaper, but I do enjoy what’s in the bottle.

8/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Edrington Americas.)

 

Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Review

Glenfarclas 12

Glenfarclas has just celebrated 150 years as a working distillery.  That’s quite an achievement.  What makes this even more remarkable is that the company has been family-owned its entire existence.  John Grant bought the distillery in 1865.  His grandsons, John and George, formed the company J & G Grant.  Fifth generation family member John L.S. Grant is chairman of the company, and his son George S. Grant serves as brand ambassador.

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