whisky

Lagavulin 12-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky (2016) Review

Ah, Lagavulin 12-year-old.  One of my favorite Islay distilleries.  This 2016 edition marks its 14th appearance in Diageo’s Special Releases series.  It bottling has matured in refill American oak hogsheads for at least 12 years, and has been bottled at 57.7% abv.  Lagavulin 12 year retails for about $135.  The 2015 release of Lagavulin 12 year was big and powerful, and this one continues the trend.

This particular release finds lemon custard, freshly baked bread, and seaweed on the nose. Oh yeah, did I mention the signature Lagavulin campfire smoke? It’s here in spades. The palate closely follows the nose for the most part. The smoke builds as waves of toffee, vanilla pudding and lemon rind add a nice counterbalance. Hints of fresh basil and seaweed appear mid-palate. The finish is long and warming, with sweet smoke and oak spice. 

 A mighty Lagavulin! 8/10

Thanks to Diageo for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mannochmore 25-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky Review

Kicking off my series dedicated to Diageo’s 2016 Special Releases is Mannochmore 25-year-old.  It’s pretty rare to see a Mannochmore single malt bottling, as most of the whisky produced at the Speyside distillery goes to blends.  This release is a blend of whiskies distilled in 1990 and matured in first fill ex-bourbon casks, new American oak barrels, and new and ex-bodega European oak butts.  Mannochmore 25 is bottled at a cask strength of 53.4% abv and retails for $400.

This quarter century old whisky is quite lovely. Sherry oak and orange zest parade on the aromatic nose, as hints of toasted malt and ripe apricots appear in the background. The palate is rich and dense with dried fruit, orange marmalade, toffee and spice at first. A touch of airtime reveals some wood sap and licorice. The finish is a touch dry, with some sweet oak tannins and concentrated fruit juice. A slightly offputting bitter note appears soon after. 

 Overall, Mannochmore 25 is a rich, decadent malt worth exploring. Quite lovely. 8.5/10

Thanks to Diageo for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lagavulin 1991 Single Cask Whisky Review

lagavulin-1991_bottle-and-box

Image courtesy: Diageo

In 1816, Lagavulin began legally distilling whisky on Islay.  Two hundred years later, the distillery released three limited edition whiskies to celebrate their important bicentennial.  First a lovely 8-year-old Lagavulin hit the market, a ode to the whisky famed writer Alfred Bernard tasted when he visited the distillery in the late 1800s.  Then a tribute to Lagavulin’s distillery managers was bestowed among us, an exquisitely crafted 25-year-old Lagavulin that was matured exclusively in ex-sherry casks.  It turned out to be my favorite whisky of 2016.

Now, the third and final 200th anniversary release of Lagavulin is a single cask bottling, distilled in 1991.  It’s the rarest of the three releases, with only 522 bottles available.  It’s also the priciest, costing roughly $1860 a bottle.  The best part?  In a classy move, Lagavulin owner Diageo is donating all proceeds from this release to various Islay charities.

This Lagavulin bottling won’t be available in stores.  You have to head over to The Whiskey Exchange and sign up for a lottery by February 12th, so go there now if you’re interested.  Entrants will be picked randomly for a chance to buy a bottle. 

Still undecided?  Trust me, it’s a killer.  The nose on this cask strength beauty (52.7%) is full of juicy tropical fruit (especially pineapple), campfire smoke, toasted barley, and burnt orange peel, with hints of dried fruit and leather in the background. A little airtime reveals lovely toffee notes.  The palate is quite the stunning kaleidoscope of flavors.  An initial burst of citrus and brown sugar lend to slightly tame peat smoke, mulled wine, spice and some herbs.  “Beef brisket slow cooked over a wood fire” paints a rough picture.  Soon after, hints of leather, sherried fruit and oak spice show through.  The long, satisfying finish has smoked sherried fruits, followed by slightly astringent oak tannins and a final refreshing mint note.

Like I said, killer.  Not everyday Lagavulin releases a single cask whisky.  Fans of the distillery with deep pockets won’t want to miss this soon-to-be legendary whisky.  To those of you who end up lucky enough to own a bottle, for the love of whatever you consider holy, open this whisky and revel in its aromas and flavors.  Remember, whisky is meant to be enjoyed, not stared at.

9.5/10

Thanks to Lagavulin for the sample!  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.