Lagavulin 10yo Feis Ile 2024

Lagavulin 10yo Feis Ile 2024

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay
Pale yellow
56.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh cut grass, lemon sweets, cream, apricot jam, autumn leaves, leather, hints of driftwood smoke. With water, lemon sweets, chillies, shortcrust pastry. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Soy sauce, leather, peat, apricot jam, driftwood smoke, honey, shortcrust pastry, black pepper. With water, chillies, lemon sweets, driftwood smoke, leather. 
Finish: Short. Driftwood smoke, peat, apricot jam, honey, hints of black pepper. 

Comments: 

A rather fruity Lagavulin, with a distinctive toasted fruit taste, like someone burned an apricot tart before serving it. Or maybe smoked it. A very enjoyable, savoury and surprisingly tart dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lagavulin 12yo 2023 Special Release

Lagavulin 12yo 2023 Special Release

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay
Pale gold
56.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apple juice, driftwood smoke, oolong tea, honey, cinnamon, leather, peat. With water, oolong tea, peaches, white grapes, driftwood smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Apple juice, white grapes, oolong tea, cinnamon, petrichor, leather, tarry rope, driftwood smoke. With water, white grapes, peaches, driftwood smoke, petrichor. 
Finish: Medium. Cinnamon, apple juice, white grapes, driftwood smoke, petrichor. 

Comments: 

Tequila cask finish, surprisingly sweet and fruity. There’s some tannins that have maybe appeared because the peat is less aggressive than I’d expect in a Laga. Lovely whisky. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lagavulin 27yo 1991/2018 Casks of Distinction

Lagavulin 27yo 1991/2018 Casks of Distinction

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay
Amber gold 
54.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Driftwood smoke, green apples, sandalwood, camphor, cinnamon, raisins, five spice powder, peat. With water, honey, apricots, five spice powder, driftwood smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, expands, tingly, turns watery around the edges. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Green apples, driftwood smoke, camphor, five spice powder, white pepper, raisins, hints of apricots. With water, menthol, driftwood smoke, peat, apricot jam. 
Finish: Medium. Camphor, mint, five spice powder, driftwood smoke. 

Comments: 

Cask 1515. Brilliant stuff, spicy and sweet but unmistakably Lagavulin. Definitely a cask of distinction. Would that this stuff was more widely available and I had more of it.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lagavulin 12yo Pure Malt (SC 803) 1970s bottle

Lagavulin 12yo Pure Malt (SC 803) 1970s bottle

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay 
Amber bronze
42.8% ABV (75 proof)
Dram

Nose: Toffee, blackcurrant cordial, coffee, dark chocolate, leather, pu erh tea, oyster shells, hints of orange peel, hints of driftwood smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, thickens slightly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Blackcurrant cordial, coffee, orange peel, honey, barley sugar, oyster shells, peat, hints of damson jam, hints of driftwood smoke. 
Finish: Short. Pu erh tea, lohan fruit, peat, leather, coffee. 

Comments: 

A rare old White Horse Distillers bottle. Sweet and smoky, with a maritime edge, this makes me wonder why they sherry age Lagavulin 16 these days, if the original distillate is so sweet. Very good indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lagavulin 28yo 1991/2019 Prima & Ultima

Lagavulin 28yo 1991/2019 Prima & Ultima

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay
Silvery gold
50.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Roast beef, oyster shells, smoke, fresh cut grass, leather, honey, vanilla custard, driftwood smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fresh cut grass, driftwood smoke, honey, butterscotch, vanilla custard, hints of roast beef. 
Finish: Medium. Vanilla custard, honey, leather, oyster shells, hints of driftwood smoke. 

Comments: 

A strangely gentle Lagavulin, meaty and sweet. Lots of typical salty driftwood smoke appear on the nose, before it turns sweet again on the tongue. Highly complex, yet restrained. Amazing stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lagavulin 12yo (2021 Special Releases)

Lagavulin 12yo (2021 Special Releases)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay 
Pale gold
56.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, driftwood smoke, leather, peat, germolene, tobacco leaf, cotton sheets, dried apricots. With water, lemon sweets, honey, dried apricots, tobacco leaf, germolene. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, slippery, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Golden syrup, leather, driftwood smoke, dried apricots, lemon zest, lemon sweets, sea salt, hints of tarry rope. With water, lemon sweets, honey, leather, tobacco leaf. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon sweets, peat, germolene, tarry rope, driftwood smoke. 

Comments: 

Lovely, thick and smoky, this whisky is hugely complex and intensely flavourful. It’s surprisingly mild, as far as the smoke level is concerned, and instead is redolent of dried apricots and lemon sweets. Very good indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lagavulin 10yo 2007/2018

Lagavulin 10yo 2007/2018

The Exclusive Malts, The Creative Whiskey Co
Single malt - Islay 
Pale gold
57.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, pears, dried peaches, leather, peat, driftwood smoke. With water, vanilla, seaweed, hints of wet leaves. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Lemon sweets, pears, dates, seaweed, vanilla, peat, driftwood smoke. With water, malted grains, seaweed, pears, leather, hints of wet leaves. 
Finish: Long. Driftwood smoke, peat, seaweed, lemon sweets. 

Comments: 

Cask 200703. This Lagavulin is quite earthy, especially with water. Neat, it’s got a lot of sweet flavours, but it’s more or less overwhelmed by those briny smoky notes. Very nice indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lagavulin 8yo (2017)

Lagavulin 8yo (2017)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay
Pale gold green
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, smoke, peat, lemon zest, leather, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Golden syrup, peat, driftwood smoke, green apples, cinnamon, vanilla, hints of leather. 
Finish: Medium. Green apples, driftwood smoke, cinnamon, leather. 

Comments: 

I tasted the original version, meant to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the distillery, and liked it very much. This version is part of the core range. It’s got the same fruity notes, together with some spices, that is then overlaid by the briny, salty Lagavulin smoke. But it’s a little bit more tart. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lagavulin 12yo (2017 Special Release)

Lagavulin 12yo (2017 Special Release)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay 
Pale green gold 
56.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, honey, leather, butter, preserved lemons, peat, hints of vanilla. With water, sage, pine cones, peat, hints of sour cream. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, mouth coating, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Preserved lemons, seaweed, green apples, driftwood smoke, leather, hints of magic marker, hints of tamarind. With water, preserved lemons, mushrooms, leather, sage, driftwood smoke. 
Finish: Short. Seaweed, sea salt, leather, peat, driftwood smoke. 

Comments: 

More briny, smoky goodness from Lagavulin. This one is sour, lots of savoury notes mixed in too. Reminds me of eating a Moroccan tagine, with heaps of preserved lemons in the stew. My only quibble is that it’s a bit underpowered in terms of flavour, especially given the high ABV. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Lagavulin 11yo Offerman Edition 2019

Lagavulin 11yo Offerman Edition 2019

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay 
Dark green gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, chestnuts, green apples, mushrooms, apricots, tobacco leaf, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, turns watery, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Pears, peat, apricots, vanilla, seaweed, honey, magic marker, tyre rubber. 
Finish: Medium. Tyre rubber, tobacco leaf, green apples, peat, hints of driftwood smoke. 

Comments: 

A rather gentle Lagavulin, less smoky, a little more tart. However the coastal brininess is still much in evidence, and there’s that hint of briny wood smoke in the finish. But it’s not classic, as it were...

Verdict:

I like this.

Lagavulin Double Matured Distiller’s Edition 2018

Lagavulin Double Matured Distiller’s Edition 2018

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay
Amber pink
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Driftwood smoke, leather, honeycomb, gingerbread, seaweed, lemon sweets, hints of germolene. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thick, syrupy, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Mint, peat, driftwood smoke, lemon sweets, gingerbread, leather, seaweed, vanilla, terracotta dust. 
Finish: Long. Ginseng, peat, honeycomb, seaweed, vanilla, cookie dough. 

Comments: 

Batch LGV 4/507. Despite the sweet sherry influence, this Lagavulin isn’t actually very sweet. It’s in fact tart, almost tangy, with the requisite briny wood smoke. It’s still very coastal, with savoury seaweed wreathed through the honeycomb and gingerbread. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Lagavulin 20yo Feis Ile 2020

Lagavulin 20yo Feis Ile 2020

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Amber gold
54% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, sea salt, leather, driftwood smoke, peat, pears, hints of cucumber. With water, sweeter, orange peel, honey, hints of ginger. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, mouth coating.  
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Leather, driftwood smoke, fresh baked bread, honey, peanuts, pears, peat. With water, vanilla, oats, honey, orange peel, white grapes.
Finish: Long. Black tea, peanuts, pears, driftwood smoke, white grapes. 

Comments: 

This is glorious. Typical Lagavulin dry, salty smoke, but over a base of sweet fruity, luscious whisky. Opens up with a touch of water, turning cereally and a little spicy. Excellent, well-aged dram. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lg6

Lg6

Elements of Islay, Elixir Distillers
Single malt - Islay
Pale silver gold
53.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, pear, peanuts, honey, sea salt, seaweed, hints of vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: heavy body, slippery, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peat, driftwood smoke, orange peel, lemon zest, sea salt, vanilla sponge, hints of butterscotch. 
Finish: Medium. Smoke, peat, lemon zest, vanilla sponge. 

Comments: 

I like the Elements series, they’re always quirky and interesting. This one is quite a classic Lagavulin though, lots of driftwood smoke, salt and seaweedy umami. But it’s also quite sweet, with a strong note of citrus fighting with the peat and smoke. I really enjoyed this dram. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Lagavulin 12yo (2018 Special Releases)

Lagavulin 12yo (2018 Special Releases)

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Pale gold
57.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Driftwood smoke, peaches, raspberries, dried orange peel, preserved lemons. With water, burning leaves, soured cream, candied orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peaches, driftwood smoke, peat, fresh cut grass, cream, hints of vanilla sponge. With water, sweeter, burning leaves, candied orange peel, caramel peanuts. 
Finish: Long. Driftwood smoke, vanilla sponge, meringues, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Excellent Lagavulin, amazing even. It's somewhat sweeter than what I perceive as 'classic' Lagavulin, it's got a lot of slightly unusual fruity notes, but the dry, salty smoke is still there, alongside gentle peat. What a treat!

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Lg10

Lg10

Elements of Islay, Specialty Drinks
Single malt - Islay
Dark gold
57.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Driftwood smoke, leather, honey, raisins, vanilla, walnuts, peanuts, hints of coffee. With water, vanilla, pears, hints of lime blossom. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Peat, driftwood smoke, pears, chillies, green peppers, coffee, walnuts. With water, coffee, green peppers, lime blossom, pears. 
Finish: Short. Smoke, leather, peanuts, popcorn, chillies, hints of olive oil. 

Comments: 

Quite an unusual Lagavulin. There's the usual dry driftwood smoke, maybe even a touch of olive oil on the tongue. But under that, there's heaps of herbal, fruity, floral goodness, which opens up with a touch of water. The green pepper note is particularly unusual and alluring. Delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Lg7

Lg7

Elements of Islay, Specialty Drinks Ltd
Single malt - Islay
Golden
56.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Figs, honey, dates, apples, hints of ham. With water, char siu, soy sauce, hints of dried apples. 
Mouthfeel: Medium, turns watery, loose, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Chillies, ham, figs, driftwood smoke, peat, hints of dates. With water, char siu, soy sauce, brown paper, hints of dried apples.
Finish: Long. Dates, apples, smoke, hints of ham. 

Comments: 

Lovely meaty notes, wreathed through with a little peat and a moderate amount of smoke. Gentle for an Islay, this whisky has a complex flavour profile. Very savoury nose, yet floral and sweet on the tongue, then deepens into a smoky syrupy sweet finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Lagavulin 8 yo 200th Anniversary Release

Lagavulin 8 yo 200th Anniversary Release

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Very pale green
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, malted grains, lemon zest, golden syrup, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loose, turns watery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Smoke, pea, wood ash, cinnamon, apples. 
Finish: Short. Apples, cinnamon, wood ash, smoke. 

Comments: 

Big and bold, plenty of heft. It's young whisky, it's not very complex, and by God it smacks you in the mouth when you drink it. Not too oily like other Lagavulins, instead it's a big heaping pile of wood ash, wreathed with apples and cinnamon.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Lg5

Lg5

Elements of Islay, Specialty Drinks Ltd
Single malt - Islay
Green gold
54.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, pears, white grapes, smoke, bacon, peat. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, thickens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peat, smoke, frying bacon, white grapes, pears, honey, hints of oolong tea. 
Finish: Long. Peat, pears, peanuts, hints of honey. 

Comments: 

Whoa! Slammed in the nose by a panful of frying bacon, then again in the mouth. Some fruit starts to peep through that curtain of smoke and peat though, and it's deliciously sweet pears and grapes. Slight astringent finish, maybe some tea notes?

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Lagavulin Double Matured Distiller's Edition 2013

Lagavulin Double Matured Distiller's Edition 2013

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Amber, tinge of light green
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, chocolate, lemons, vanilla, hints of soy sauce.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slightly oily, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Pear, smoke, leather, pears, chocolate, orange peel, vanilla, hints of butter.
Finish: Medium. Leather, lemons, vanilla, pears.

Comments:

Mmm, oily, intensely flavoured, almost Caol Ila-esque in its savouriness. That's just on the nose though, on the tongue it becomes more like Lagavulin, leathery, citrusy tart, with lots of vanilla. I can't believe it's taken so long for me to have another Lagavulin. According to the tasting notes, it's been nearly 6 years!

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Lagavulin Distillery

Lagavulin Distillery
Port Ellen
Islay
Argyll PA42 7DZ

Islay, Scotland - Active

Flavour profile

Lagavulin is fragrant and smoky, not sweet and smoky like other Islay malts. I think the only sure fire way to ensure that there is some sweetness in Lagavulin whisky is to age it in sweet sherry casks - like the fantastic Lagavulin Distiller's Edition releases, aged in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.

The whisky also absorbs vanillin well. All the official bottlings I've tried and recorded notes for (as well as a couple I didn't manage to note) display huge vanilla influences alongside the ubiquitous peat and smoke. Some fruit flavours are usually also prominent, although it's not always the same fruit.



All the Lagavulins I've tasted so far are here.

Lagavulin 16 yo - good
Lagavulin 12 yo 1991/2004 Cask Strength - very good
Lagavulin 1991 Distiller's Edition (1991/2007) - very good

Distillery history

Founded in 1816 by John Johnston. It was merged with a neighbouring distillery called Ardmore in 1837. It was acquired by James Logan Mackie in 1867, and passed into the ownership of his eponymous company Mackie & Co. Peter Mackie used the old distillery buildings to house a new distillery, Malt Mill, which was eventually closed, and now houses Lagavulin's visitor centre. Lagavulin distillery eventually passed into the hands of Scottish Malt Distillers, which eventually became part of Diageo. The distillery was silent in 1918, 1953 and 1960.

Lagavulin was, and probably still is, an important component of White Horse. Independent bottlings are rare. The flagship bottling is the 16 yo, although the famous, delicious one is the Distiller's Edition, usually aged around the same, matured in Pedro Ximenez casks.

Potted distillery facts

Water source: 2 Solan lochs, Loch Sholum and Loch Lochan
Washbacks: Ten, New England larch, 22,000 litres each
Wash stills: Two, normal neck, 12,300 litres each
Spirit stills: Two, short pear shaped neck, 12,900 litres each
Spirit still Lyne arm: Nearly 45 degrees descending
Production per year: 2,300,000 litres

- The Scottish Whisky Distilleries, Misako Udo