Created with passion and skill since 1816, this iconic Lagavulin celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2016 and is for many the pinnacle of Islay malts; intense in flavour, smoky and rich. It’s quite a legacy to carry in a bay from which the sons of Somerled, Lord of the Isles, sailed to war; a bay guarded still by his ruined castle, Dunyvaig. Barley malted over local peat smoke imbues Lagavulin with its rich mix of shoreline airs and scented, smoky dryness. Here’s a whisky so intense it turns away the cold. Lagavulins special editions and older releases are vanishingly rare and highly sought after.
The DISTILLERS EDITION is a collection of master-craftsmanship. Each cask in the series is individually selected and perfectly matched to the character of each of the single malts refined here. The two-parted maturation process gives more depth and complexity, which is the idea behind the limited DISTILLERS EDITION: preserving the perfection of the single malts that have already been awarded for their outstanding flavours. The selected taste nuances are more strongly accentuated in a way that is not found in the regular bottlings, but with fully maintaining the original character of these fine single malts.
SCOTLAND'S FINEST - Since 1997, the Distillers Editions have been an annual release of limited quantities, each very much true to its origins yet possessing a rich depth, complexity and nuance of flavour not found in the regular release. This excellent Lagavulin whisky has been firstly matured in Refill American and European Oak casks. With the second maturation finished in Pedro Ximenz-seasoned re-charred American Oak with heavily re-charred new AO ends.
PURE FLAVOUR - This unforgettable Distillers Edition of Lagavulin delivers an extra rich raisin-sweet flavour, with a dark smokiness that intensifies as the peat grows. The Pedro ximenez seasoned casks impart a sweetness and spice that together with the smoke set this whisky apart. This malts raisin-rich sweetness is enveloped in a wonderfully intense peaty smoke.
TASTING NOTES
COLOUR: Deep amber. Fine beading. Good viscosity.
BODY: Full.
NOSE: Deep and expressive, as aromas of dark oak and raisins dowsed in liquor reveal the sweet wine cask, and restrain the eager peat, wrapping fragrant smoke in grounded notes of oak and wine. In time the smoke rises, as if to reflect the unquenchable intensity within.
PALATE: A natural strength, oily and sweet-spicy to start, the sweetness fully integrated and never cloying, delivering a fruity, raisin-sweet smokiness throughout that is rich in dark intent and roasted malt alike. The smokiness intensifies as the peat asserts itself. Saltiness joins it, the whole becoming drying, with a hint of espresso coffee grounds. The rich sweetness is beautifully integrated with the smoke, salt and spice.
FINISH: So very long, and darkly smoky; delightfully warming in its deep, dark oak-spiciness. Lingering smoke in the aftertaste.
