Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Gradation: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: Yes
Owner: Diageo
Average price: € 64.00
Official website: www.malts.com
Vote: 86/100
By now, I think even a stone knows that, on the occasion of the finale of the much-loved series The Game of Thrones, Diageo decided to produce a limited edition in its honour, dedicating a special bottling of some of its distilleries to each of the protagonist houses.
The series includes:
– Cardhu Gold Reserve (dedicated to the House Targaryen);
– Clynelish Reserve (dedicated to the House Tyrell);
– Dalwhinnie Winter’s Frost (dedicated to the House Stark);
– Lagavulin 9yo (dedicated to the House Lannister);
– Mortlach 15yo (dedicated to the Six Kingdoms);
– Oban Bay Reserve (dedicated to the Night’s Watch);
– Royal Lachnagar 12yo (dedicated to the House Baratheon);
– Singleton of Glendullan Reserve (dedicated to the House Tully);
– Talisker Select Reserve (dedicated to the House Greyjoy).
Nominally not part of the series, but nevertheless inspired by GoT, are the following:
– Johnnie Walker White Walker (dedicated to the White Walkers);
– Johnnie Walker Song of Fire and Johnnie Walker Song of Ice.
As is often the case with these initiatives, they are not all, let’s say, striking bottlings, whose value is more collectible than real, so much so that the prices immediately skyrocketed, with plenty of speculation, only to return to milder advice once the enthusiasm had “deflated”.
Given the fact that it’s still widely available, I’d have some doubts about the actual “limited” print run, and those who recommend it as an investment are not doing you a great favour…
Tasting notes
The nose is obviously peaty, though not aggressive, with a notable marine and mineral component. Bacon and seaweed go hand in hand, together with honey and a delicate spicy note. An unexpected fruity sweetness emerges, which over time softens the peat, together with caramel. Everything is always very saline and mineral.
The mouthfeel reiterates the fruity soul of the distillate, with yellow peaches, blueberries, bananas, a burnt fruit salad after a vigorous passage on the barbecue where they have just grilled some ribs. Smoky fleshyness well highlighted, at times exuberant enough to cover the sweeter side, which is also undercut by the strong maritime and vegetable component. Pepper and ginger. There are also some toasted bread crumbs, just because we are young.
The finish is quite long, very marine, peppery and ashy.
Young, certainly not very balanced, but perhaps for this reason also enjoyable: a different Lagavulin from the usual, perhaps not excellent but more than enjoyable and cheerful.
Reviews of Lagavulin whisky in the blog
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