Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 53.5%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon Refill and renewed
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Diageo
Average price: € 180.00
Official website: www.malts.com
Vote: 84/100
A very special edition of Lagavulin, the result of vatting whiskies of unspecified age matured in hogshead ex-Bourbon first fill and charred casks, available in 6,000 bottles for direct sale at the distillery.
Characteristic of this exclusive bottling is the cask strength, which is not very common for Lagavulin.
Tasting notes
Full gold in the glass.
A very mineral and iodized nose, with just a hint of smoke, an impression more of grilled fruit (orange, pineapple, banana) than of ash, accompanied by notes of lime, cereals, honey, without any alcoholic whiff. Simple and fresh.
On the palate the alcohol shows its full weight with a demanding and peppery opening, much more aggressive than you would expect. It takes up tropical fruit and grilled citrus fruits together with cloves, balsamic notes and a hint of rhubarb. Bread dough. The underlying minerality remains, especially on the length, accompanied by vegetable and salty peat.
The finish is long, salty and dry, with liquorice root, lemon, ginger and pineapple, with a patina of ash.
Abrupt and anything but elegant, with an alcohol strength that fails to bring out the facets of the whisky, which is a little unbalanced. Challenging, it takes time to be appreciated despite its exuberant youth.