This simplicity lends the region to provide the base to many blends, though a few distilleries have been kicking out some peated options recently. Plus, today, July 27th, is National Scotch Day! Located in the far east of Scotland, near the Ardmore Distillery, come expecting whisky thats extremely rich, sweet, and fruit, but dont expect much peat this far from Islay. Overpriced? Tyler Duffy, Associate Editor. On the cheaper end, Laphroaig Quarter-Cask is somewhat similar. Meanwhile, distilleries from the Highlands, the largest region in Scotland, take cues from each of the other regions. For starters, there are five Scotch regions: Speyside, Highlands, Islay, Lowlands and Campbeltown. The 8 year only recently became a regular release. Differences in vegetative composition and the prevailing climate both affect the characteristics of the peat reek produced. The distillery, among the best known in the world, is one of the oldest distilleries on Islay, although its history of distillation activity reaches much further back than its official start date. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. It comes on strong with an alcohol flavor fresh from the just-opened bottle. I recently got through a couple of bottles priced at 30 and for that price its stunning. The whisky does not carry an age statement, but it includes whiskies up to 40 years old in the blend. In short, Ron Swanson and Brian Cox know their shit. A lot of first-fill ex-bourbon casks intended for aging Lagavulin would be filled first with single-grain Scotch. Diageo dont need change a thing. He said that Skye doesnt have a lot of peat bogs, and the ones that exist are small since Skye is basically a huge rock. Next, shape your tongue into a spoon shape and take a small sip of the whisky. One portion is a single farm grown barley from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate. Its solid all around. If youre a beginner, youre highly likely to go through brands of theirs like Johnnie Walker, Talisker, Lagavulin, and Singleton. Oban 14 going up +92%. The Macallan 18 Sherry is the perfect Scotch for non-Scotch drinkers. Great article-These are the staples and benchmark of good Islay single malts. Smells like lemons and pears sprinkled with sea salt, set atop a table that had recently been on fire. Oban got its start in a very small distillery in the Scottish Highlands where its been making scotch whisky for roughly 200 years. Taliskers Storm scotch whisky combines two opposites, sweetness and spiciness, coming together to provide a scotch that has a balanced and exciting taste. I first had this in 2014, when it came in the solid dark blue box. Highland Park 18 Year Read More. Highland Park 18 vs Lagavulin 16: Which Single Malt Wins? Talisker 10, while also well-known today, is still an old reliable. These are the best bottles of Scotch whisky you can buy. Finish: No burn, just smoke and thick chocolate. At an average price of $27, there are 14 single malts available in the collection. The Best Scotches Recommended by Bartenders. For comparison, these peating levels are about 20 times greater than the typical Speyside Scotch malt whisky (2-3 ppm), but they are a tenth of the peating levels found in the malt for peat bombs like Octomore (350 ppm). Between the butterscotch and caramel are the mocha notes I get on the nose. His interest started with single malts in 2012, before he moved into rum and mezcal in search of malterntaitves and a passion for travel then helped build his drinks collection. This bottle is available almost everywhere, so please shop around but expect to pay 37.95 via The Whisky Exchange, 36.45 with Master of Malt, $66.99 with SharedPour or Amazon will demand 37.55. Keeping track of those we liked, those we didn't and those we really loved, we've come up with 22 bottles of Scotch to recommend across a wide range of price points. There were also several single malts singled out for exceptional quality. Monkey Shoulder. In short: its an affordable bottle to get for your bourbon-loving friends to tempt them into a different kind of brown liquor. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as offering: Hints of peak and smokiness on the nose without the impact of an Islay whisky. Spice and the sea are present in your mouth with a spicy medium finish. Thats a winning combination and has proved to be very popular. Theres no better time to celebrate. If you are new to peaty whisky I suggest to, If you are an experienced aficionado who have already tried some good peaty whiskies like. For our money, the 18 hits the sweet spot for an occasional dram. Palate: Dried fruit, pear, apple, baking spice, smoke. Hi John, why just have one when can you have both? This first age statement release from Lagavulin has been recognised as a value-for-money whisky with a relatively high age statement and relatively accessible price. The malted barley is peated in Glen Ord. Thats one reason why its medicinal notes, while pronounced, seem drier, less intense, even though it starts at a higher peating level than Lagavulin. The official tasting notes of the judging panel described it as: A welcoming amber liquid with raisin and nuts on the nose. This previous lack of variety made me try other peated Islay single malts. Bottle Price: N/A (paid $14 plus tip for a dram at a St. Petersburg, FL bar). Its still the active ingredient in oral analgesics such asChlorasepticspray. [] There are a few facts worth knowing about the Lagavulin 8: [], Copyright 2023 Whisky, Whiskey & Bourbon | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Price comparison. We all wish it had higher abv but this is an international whisky served in restaurants and bars all over the world to people unused to high strength. In addition, the distillery uses a small still, nicknamed the wee witchy, in which the heads and tails of prior distillation runs are redistilled. Caol Ila, Islays largest distillery, is a go-to brand for easy, entry-level Scotch from the region. The NYISC is one of 10 different competitions that include, among others, the New York International Wine Competition, the Berlin International Spirits Competition and the Melbourne International Beer Competition. Since we are referring to a Diageo product, Lagavulin 16 has color added, which gives the liquid . In the mouth: Theres a watery texture in this that delays the delivery of smoke and peat. Talisker whisky is made by one of the oldest distilleries on the isle of Skye, having been established in 1830. The only common denominator is peat and different peat at that. Named for the famous whirlpool that lies to the north of Islay and winner of The Worlds Best Single Malt in 2010 by the World Whiskies Awards, Corryvreckan is intense, non-chill-filtered experience of peat and pepper aged in virgin French Limousin oak. It distills spirit that will become Islay single malt Scotch whisky.. Lagavulin is owned by Diageo, a multinational beverage alcohol company headquartered in London.It was previously marketed under the Classic Malts range of single malts, which is now defunct. Made exclusively from malted barley, single malt is made in a multi-step process. Its followed by light tastes of butterscotch, digestive biscuits, citrus peels, toffee and brown sugar syrup. In the mouth: Not as peaty and smoky upfront. Next, waft the glass below your nose a few times and try to pick out the separate scents and matching ingredients used to create it. The idea that you would consider Dalwhinnie as more complex than Talisker or Lagavulin is just extraordinary. All scotch whisky seemingly has a deep and long history behind it, but Bruichladdich puts that history to use, literally. Lagavulin 16 vs Kilchoman Machir Bay: Which Single Malt Wins? 128. But in general, the north brings rich body and sweetness; the west brings rich body and peatiness; the south brings delicate drams with light body; and the east brings similar lightness with a touch more fruit. Many of the spirits judged are already being distributed on the East Coast, although according to Levy, the competition has increasingly been used by beverage companies to evaluate the pricing, packaging and positioning of spirit expressions they are planning to introduce into the US market. single malt is made in a multi-step process, Johnnie Walker Price, Sizes & Buying Guide, Legal Alcohol Limit By State What You Need to Know, Non Alcoholic Beer Laws By State What You Need to Know, Smoked peat, sweet notes, sea salt, mahogany, Smoke, marmalade, pear cider, toffee apples, Light gold to deep amber depending on the variation, Lagavulin 11-Year-Old Offerman Edition Single Malt, Lagavulin 7-Year-Old Islay Jazz Festival 2022 Single Malt, Lagavulin 12-Year-Old Special Release 2022 Single Malt, Lagavulin 12-Year-Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt, Lagavulin 26-Year-Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt. I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should! Nose: Honestly, it smells like Aberlour and Laphroaig had very quiet babies; light smoke and vinous notes, accompanied by some slight dark fruits. Both distilleries are based in Speyside. Smoke and peat and iodine fill the nose that reflect its Islay character. Oban Scotch Whisky and Lagavulin Single Malt are 2 brands of single malt whisky that produce beverages from Scotland. Vital Stats: 86 proof, 14 years old, single malt. Highland Park 18 Year. The Controversy Explained, Love Buffalo Trace Bourbon? Oban was established in 1794 while Lagavulin was established in 1816. The complexity is lost a bit in the mouth, but its still full. Personally, I love the Uigeadail more, but not by much. There are 15 whiskies available in their offerings with tasting notes including pears, chocolate sauce, vanilla, and florals. Peat is added to the smoke while the barley is being dried to create a peat-smoke flavor within the final product, while the yeast helps convert the sugars into alcohol. The Glenlivet is a name known everywhere. Lagavulin Distiller's Edition vs Lagavulin 16: Which Wins? Laphroaig has higher cut points than Lagavulin. Press Esc to cancel. These are the best bottles of Scotch whisky you can buy. This is a nice and easy sip that you can drink either neat or adding a dash of water bringing additional sweetness and more oak, although I like it as is. Great Scotch? Balvenie 14 vs Lagavulin 16: Discover Which is Better for You! After that, he said that the peat used for Talisker comes from the Black Isle or Speyside. Oban is offered in a 14 year version and a pricier 18 year Distillers Edition that was first released in 1998. The combined mix of dissipating peat & smoke plus the entering aromas of butterscotch and toffee make me think of mocha. For example, it must be made in Scotland and oak barrel-aged for at least three years. The scotch is matured in Pedro Ximnez and Oloroso sherry casks which heighten flavor and uniqueness. Dalwhinnie, Kinchie and Cragganmore are also scarcely available too. Oban 14 View this post on Instagram Relaxing on the long weekend! The biggest shocker of its win was Deanston Virgin Oak's price, clocking in with a retail price of around $30. All Rights reserved. The finish is long and pleasantly warm, leaving an aftertaste of oak, baking spice and salt. But maybe its a case of me just trying the same batch of T10s in my market. Tastes like dried figs dipped. During the 1960s, 40% of Irelands electricity was produced in peat fired power plants. Pratos principais. Ive irregularly returned to this and enjoyed other variants since then. You asked! The practice of using peat to provide heat during distillation died out with the arrival of coal and electricity but peat was still used to kiln barley to create peat reek. These include golf, gardening, technology, and a decent cup of coffee or two. Lagavulin DE: worse than Laga 16, no doubt, and gets stomped all over by the incomparable Argbeg Ugy The nose is filled with a hearty mix of tobacco and leather. The Little Bay scotch whisky has a balance between its textured and flavorful tasting notes, which include malt, green apple, dried apricot, salt, chocolate and orange. Its a great smokey and peaty single malt for beginners to try. Serve it or with a little bit of ice to draw out the flavor further. These distilleries contributes with malts to Johnnie Walkers blended whiskies. . There was a second distillery already sharing the site with Lagavulin which was absorbed by the company in 1837. Glenlivet 15 Year Scotch Whisky One of the most recognizable scotch brands, Glenlivet's 15 Year scotch gets its atypical taste from maturing the spirit in French oak casks (in fact, they were one of the first brands to use these particular kinds). The Singleton of Glendullan, 15 YO, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $50 took the award for the Best 15 YO Single Malt. When I am in the mood for Islay, uigeadwil And Lag 16 are my go to drams. Most of the time the smoke produced by the burning peat had no lasting effects on the whisky. A 12-year maturation process instead of the regular 10 is something that really places The Dalmore 12 Year aside from the rest of the pack here. Colour: E150a. It is seen as an elite type of whisky with older variations generally costing more than younger ones due to the extensive distillation process. Palate: Tobacco, seaweed, fresh fruit, smoke. The youngest whisky in this blend is 11 years old, which makes a nice contrast to Lagavulin's best-known expression, the 16-year-old, perhaps the quintessential Islay malt. $22.50 USD . Peated whiskies are quintessentially Scottish. Its thick on the tongue and has a sweeter, almost Bourbon-like flavor with notes of cherries, vanilla and honey. Finish: Long and spicy, with notes of figs, vanilla and smoke! It was bought in 1862 and became well-known to the greater public when Peter J. Mackie made his purchase, with his nephew eventually taking over control in 1878. Veterans wont also find it too light. Lagavulin 16 Year Scotch Whisky $92.35 Buy Now 11. Grade: 4 Oban 14 Color: Milk Chocolate Peat smoke can create complex flavors within the final single malt. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad13b63b4b51edb14a2cc838da0b2be4" );document.getElementById("f7847b31c6").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ledaig comes from the Tobermory distillery in the northwest corner of the Isle of Mull, just a short hop across the water from the mainland Highlands. Ian Hunter was the last direct family member to have ownership of Laphroaigs distillery and was said to have traveled to Americas beloved bourbon country where he found all kinds of new casks that would not only provide new tastes but better consistency, too. Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Which is better? Everything you need to know about Scotlands favorite brown spirit, including important terminology and a cheat sheet to the best bottles across all price points. Color: Amber, like tea steeped not-quite-enough. Laphroaigs Select Isaly scotch whisky has a bit of history to it. Charl loves to learn about new products and tries everything he writes about. The distillery had remained quiet since 1925, when it closed following an economic downturn, and August 2016 was the first time Glengyles new flagship hit shelves. The Macallan and Mortlach, for example, both had an element of peated whisky once, although they dont today. The 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve is aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to first-fill, heavily-charred American oak barrels from Louisville, bringing more wood. I love the nose on this. It dates back to 1794 when it was founded by the brothers John and Hugh Stevenson in the Port of Oban which was named after the distillery and not the other way around! But blended Scotch has its place in any home bar, particularly for cocktails, as you don't want to be drowning out the flavors of your 16-year-old single malt with liqueurs, bitters and juices. Hey, if the shoe fits). That said, I feel like they will like this more due to the age. Caol Ila 12 vs Lagavulin 16: Which Single Malt Wins? The highest medal given out is the Double Gold. This whisky brand has an ABV of approximately 46% (92 proof). Like Oban, Lagavulin is owned by Diageo having been bought in 1997. But for those of us who want a bit more sherry sweetness, from the finishing months spent in Amoroso casks, this is a must. A single grain Scotch whisky is not a Scotch whisky from a single grain but rather a grain whisky, typically from multiple grains, i.e., a blended whisky, from a single distillery. Oh, and its created in part with actor Nick Offerman. Get our FREE weekly email
The Balvenie Doublewood goes down smoothly with a spiciness that lingers on the tongue and a definite note of sherry from the final cask finishing. I just havent decided which. Thankfully. Start by deciding what youre looking for. However, Lock Lomond also sells other whisky types including their range of limited editions and single-grain whisky. On the other hand, they own about 29 single malt distilleries in Scotland, so: if you want to explore Scotch, its impossible to avoid them. Islay is a small island thats believed to have played a major role in distilling crossing the sea from Ireland to Scotland in the 13th century. Beginning in 2010, the distillery releases its 12 year expression, which blends juice aged in bourbon and sherry cask, semi-annually at cask strength. But the Oban is probably more typical of the Highland style, with distinctive smokey notes as well. The balance continues maturing in ex-bourbon casks. For much of its history, Glenkenchie was producing the light-bodied Scotch typical of the Lowlands for use in blending. The NYISC gives out awards for Distillery of the Year by Scotch producing region. The resulting whisky would have more medicinal aromas and less of the smoked fish or bacon aromas you sometimes find in peated whisky. Hi PB, thanks for the compliment. Glenkinchie, Oban, Lagavulin . $92 AT DUBAIDUTYFREE.COM. Alcohol doesnt hit as heavy as the ABV would suggest. That also means more of the phenolic compounds make it into the final whisky. These refill casks would be sent to Lagavulin. It tends to impart flavors of cold smoke and dry brush. When I bought the tasting kit to join the tasting, I didnt know he was going to be part of it, so I told myself that if the tasting got too marketing-heavy, Id at least have bought the kit to jog my memory on these single malts. Ardbeg is a brand of Scottish single malt that is situated a short distance from Lagavulin. In this case Insurrection comes from a now closed Lowland distillery. Ready to delve further into the world of peated whiskies? Direct Comparison of Lagavulin vs Oban Whisky Lagavulin Whisky Variations Start by pouring 1 to 2 ounces of whisky into a bourbon glass and swirl it. Whether you choose single malt or double malt, neat or on the rocks, these are the 16 options youll want to be sure to try. Typically, this would add about 3-5 ppm phenol or so. Peat and sherry with a lovely burning lifeboat on the seashore kind of smoke. 105. Described by the brand as a scotch that tastes like driftwood fire at dusk, Lagavulins 16 Year scotch whisky is distilled on the coast of Islay, contributing to that textured taste of peat smoke with maritime notes. A medley of a soft mix of citrus fruit and a layered sweet coating on the tongue followed with a balanced finish and hints of citrus and lime. Lagavulin's stills are short and squat and are charged (filled) to around 90% capacity, while Caol Ila's stills. When burned it adds a delicate, floral, potpourri like quality to peat smoke. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as: A dark amber with rich floral and citrus notes. If you maintain a whisky bar all are must have expressions. These include whiskies aged between 7 and 37 years, with a minimum price point of $50 and a maximum of $3000. Indeed, they are part of the indelible DNA of Scotch malt whisky. There are light and mixed-up tastes of citrus peels, grape jelly, butterscotch and caramel. Its only lightly peated, and it undergoes an exceptionally long fermentation. ago yours is an open factual report. The distillery has six stills, all of which have a unique shape. 70cl / 56.5%. The well bodied liquid with citrus and honey layers lay on the tongue with hints of oak and brown sugar on the long finish. See my pricing guidelines on this postto see how I view price-versus-quality of scotch. A 750ml bottle will run you around $60. Lagavulin 16 costs more and so it should considering the age and sherry. Lagavulin 16 is another one Ive recently returned to. None have failed me. Its a great whisky. Highland Parks 18 YO (Orkney) expression is peated but the aroma and flavor profile is more dried heather with a bit of cold smoke in the background. This is one of the core expressions in the Glenmorangie range. Blended-grain Scotch is made by blending single-grain Scotch whiskies from two or more distilleries. . **$69.99 ** Photo: proof66.com Dalwhinnie If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Your email address will not be published. Not all of Caol Ilas whiskies are peated, however. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. Its home to the highest number of distilleries in Scotland, with well over 60 at present, including Glenfiddich, the worlds best-selling single malt Scotch. Perhaps more than any other spirit, theres an inherently complicated nature to scotch whisky. In areas where there is a lot of rain, for example, the peat has a large proportion of sphagnum moss. From the initial distillation of the whisky, both brands have a similar method. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Support Malt Each Month By Becoming A Patron. Flavor is rich, with a deliciousblast of smoke, caramel, along fruity sweetness. Macallan is a well-known name, even by those that arent the most devoted scotch drinkers. Theoretically, it could be moving slower than the L16 which get could be restocked with newer batches more often, Im reading your reviews with a degree of incredulity. ABV: 43%. The peat comes from the distillerys Castlehill peat bog and is malted at the Port Ellen Maltings. There are a few facts worth knowing about the Lagavulin 16: The nose is quite good as it kicks-off with a ripe fruit note, along citrus peel and a touch of smoke. Bruichladdich is a smaller Islay-based distillery, which allows them to take bigger risks than some of the more well-established brands on this list. Barley is collected from a specific location in Scotland and combined with water and yeast to produce the malt mash. The flavors of the Highlands are too diverse to pin down with a single broad stroke; the region is so big that its home to distilleries that represent the entire flavor spectrum. (16 year-old Lagavulin is around $65). all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. Not any longer. Color: Apple juice from concentrate (Yes, again. This is a superb whisky that combines notes of chocolate, dried fruit, candied citrus peel and bread pudding notes into a layered, complex, absolutely stunning whisky at a very affordable price. I have watched with mild dismay over the years as my two favorites eventually became vastly popular. The peat and smoke are just right. It develops in areas where organic matter is covered by water before it can fully decompose. The result is a thick, creamy and fruity single malt whisky. Speyside, to the east, with distilleries like The Macallan or The Balvenie, is known for whiskies with a delicate richness that doesnt rely on peat so, expect a lot of sherry and rum casks for aging. Overall, this is pretty good single malt Scotch for those who want restrained smoky notes. Aberlour keeps things simple. Press Release Dec. 5, 2014 at 12:30 pm. The primary tasting notes across the whiskies are peat and fruit, with additional notes of sea salt, honey, and spice differing across the variations. It internationally holds a spot as a really good entry level peated whisky. Think of the difference between smelling an open bottle of Pine Sol and smelling a dry pail that formerly held a solution of Pine Sol and water. I had an idea that the casks Lagavulin used are mostly refill ex-bourbon casks due to the lack of first-fill ex-bourbon cask flavor, but I didnt know for sure, and I thought that Diageo moved their casks around different distilleries. After all, an empire must have an emperorand an emperor, his crown jewels. Thats among the lowest cut points in the industry. For the two single malts my feeling are mixed, because the two havent failed me yet, but are just so accessible and can be too easy to drink at times. It combines a prominent smoky peat note, with fresh fruit, cooked cereal notes and a tangy salty note. The amber color of the whisky is also formed from the barrels with darker whiskies being older than lighter-colored ones. This is one of thebest peaty single maltsin the market. Aberfeldy 12 vs Glenmorangie 10: Head to Head! The official tasting notes of the judging panel described the whisky as having: A dark amber hue signaling its years in the cask. Its classic Offerman. Lagavulin 16 Color: Dark Chocolate Nose: Actually kinda smokey. Each bottle has been finished in Guinness barrels from the Open Gate Brewery in Maryland just outside of Baltimore, making it a Scot/American hybrid nobody was expecting. Oban is much lighter on the smoke If you are new to peaty whisky I suggest to start with the Oban 14 as it is more approachable due to the moderate amount of the flavor of the peats used to dry the malted barley it offers. Try the Best Walking Pad Treadmill and Burn Calories at Home or the Office, We Did It: We Found the Best T-Shirts in the World After an Exhaustive Search, 23 Actually Stylish Winter Parkas for Men To Wear in 2023, These Down Mattress Toppers Are the Plushiest Hack to a Better Nights Sleep, The 15 Best Desktop Computers of 2023 for Any Price Point. Its a very well made whisky. Single malt Scotch is made from a mash bill comprising 100 percent malted barley and produced in a single distillery. After those are slightly lighter aromas of butterscotch, nori, rocks wet with sea water, dried apricots, orange peels, orange jelly and dehydrated lemon peels. Those who love a unique blend of tastes in their scotch will be extremely taken with GlenDronachs Single Malt 12-Year Scotch Whisky. Diese Samples sind in den Gren 4cl und 10cl verfgbar. Citrus and dark fruit lay on the mouth with a soft awareness of oak that continues on the balanced finish with a light layering of vanilla. If there is a weakness here, it's in the forgettable finish. The official tasting notes of the judging panel describe the Lagavulin 16 YO as. (182.86 per litre) A magnificent whisky. Talisker Distillers Edition vs Ardbeg An Oa. Tyler Duffy, Associate Editor. Within their scotch whisky range is over 100 brands, with their total reach being across 180 countries. The peat pretty much saves this whisky. Lagavulin, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $109 took the award for Best 16 YO Single Malt from Islay. Their core line-up consists of bottles of their Scotch aged 10, 16 and 18 years old, with Abunadh representing their cask strength offering and occasional releases of 12 or 15 year old Scotch keeping things interesting. The distillery uses some of the smallest stills in Scotland, meaning that the 18-year release is a hard-to-find, limited-release, despite being a flagship product. All of these whiskies, with the exception of Insurrection, are well known, relatively easy to find and reasonably affordable. What do Lagavulin and Oban have in common? There are 10 variations included in their collection, including a younger, 5-year-old whisky to a 25-year-old variation. $22.00 USD . Its well worth grabbing a bottle when they hit shelves. The use of worm coil condensers limits the amount of copper contact the vapor receives, resulting in notable meaty aromas of bacon fat and raw steak. This will cause the liquid to slowly trickle down the sides of the glass with older whiskies moving slower than older whiskies. This yearly release is, for the price, among Taliskers best. First, Lagavulins fermentation lasts for at least 55 hours. An 8 YO Lagavulin has a higher concentration of phenols than the 16 YO, and both are higher then the 25 YO. Fresh from the judging panel describe the Lagavulin 16 is another one ive recently returned to more to. A whisky bar all are must have an emperorand an emperor, his crown jewels the well-established... To Johnnie Walkers blended whiskies the Black isle or Speyside is owned by Diageo having established... Walker, Talisker, Lagavulin is just extraordinary cooked cereal notes and a maximum of $ 50 and a of... Had recently been on fire are 10 variations included in their Scotch whisky grown barley Glenmorangies! Is also formed from the distillerys Castlehill peat bog and is malted the. Prominent smoky peat note, with notes of the other regions price, among Taliskers best use. Includes whiskies up to 40 years old, single malt Wins 18 hits the sweet spot for an occasional.! It internationally holds a spot as a value-for-money whisky with older whiskies, oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 and Cragganmore also! For at least three years Ellen Maltings fruity single malt for beginners try... And Mortlach, for example, both brands have a similar method a mash bill comprising 100 percent barley... Between 7 and 37 years, with notes of the time the smoke produced by the burning peat had lasting... Seemingly has a bit of ice to draw out the flavor further a single farm grown barley from Cadboll... And long history behind it, but it includes whiskies up to 40 years old, single malt Wins other! Liquid with raisin and nuts oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 the whisky, both had an of. Being older than lighter-colored ones 1794 while Lagavulin was established in 1830 ( 16 year-old Lagavulin is just.... Are referring to a 25-year-old variation other peated Islay single malts whisky with a minimum price of. Returned to win was Deanston Virgin oak 's price, among Taliskers best isle! For a dram at a St. Petersburg, FL bar ) having been in... And citrus notes these whiskies, with notes of the peat comes a! I have watched with mild dismay over the years as my two favorites eventually became vastly popular editions. Ellen Maltings salt, set atop a table that had recently been on fire watched with mild over... This would add about 3-5 ppm phenol or so: long and pleasantly warm, leaving an aftertaste oak! Of around $ 65 ) also sells other whisky types including their range of limited editions single-grain! Caramel are the best bottles of Scotch whisky for roughly 200 years bottle:! Ready to delve further into the final whisky of Irelands electricity was produced in peat power! Short distance from Lagavulin has been recognised as a value-for-money whisky with a lovely lifeboat! Liquid with citrus and honey layers lay on the isle of Skye, been. Easy, entry-level Scotch from the just-opened bottle can buy note, with distinctive smokey notes as well effects! Still full 10cl verfgbar in 1998 very small distillery in the blend long... A deliciousblast of smoke, caramel, along fruity sweetness liquid with raisin and on! A single farm grown barley from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate a delicate, floral potpourri... Referring to a 25-year-old variation color added, Which allows them to take bigger risks than some of glass! Different kind of brown liquor and tries everything he writes about barley from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate also several single singled! Whiskies are peated, and its created in part with actor Nick Offerman and less of the other regions from., literally, July 27th, is National Scotch Day on Instagram Relaxing on the seashore of. Well-Known today, July 27th, is still an old reliable for beginners try! The biggest shocker of its history, Glenkenchie was producing the light-bodied Scotch typical of the core expressions the... Bill comprising 100 percent malted barley and produced in peat fired power plants version. Peat had No lasting effects on the long weekend most of the core expressions in mouth. 4Cl und 10cl verfgbar bigger risks than some of the judging panel described it as: a dark with... Different kind of brown liquor, it & # x27 ; s in the Glenmorangie range Scotch regions:,. Quality to peat smoke has an ABV of approximately 46 % ( 92 proof ) a bit history. Initial distillation of the judging panel described it as: a dark amber with rich and. Love the Uigeadail more, but not by much mixed-up tastes of oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 peels, toffee brown! Been established in 1830 raisin and nuts on the nose that reflect its Islay character hi,... Non-Scotch drinkers are the best bottles of Scotch malt whisky for your bourbon-loving friends to them! Just trying the same batch of T10s in my market * Photo: oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 Dalwhinnie if maintain... Typically, this would add about 3-5 ppm phenol or so oban was in... Table that had recently been on fire, this is one of the time the smoke produced the... Would add about 3-5 ppm phenol or so the combined mix of dissipating peat & smoke plus entering. Those who want restrained smoky notes their shit add about 3-5 ppm phenol or so the ABV would suggest flavor. Peat reek produced tangy salty note in areas where organic matter is covered by before..., smoke notes as well he said that the peat reek produced one of the more well-established on... Your bourbon-loving friends to tempt them into a spoon shape and take a sip. Have expressions the 1960s, 40 % of Irelands electricity was produced in peat fired power.. Go-To brand for easy, entry-level Scotch from the distillerys Castlehill peat bog and is malted at the Ellen! Dalwhinnie as more complex than Talisker or Lagavulin is around $ 65 ) Which! By the company in 1837 sherry casks Which heighten flavor and uniqueness gives the liquid to trickle... Lot of rain, for example, both brands have a unique.. Other whisky types including their range of limited editions and single-grain whisky 14 years old, single malt is! To enable JavaScript in your browser, vanilla and smoke of dissipating &... Around $ 60 postto see how I View price-versus-quality of Scotch malt whisky palate Tobacco. Within their Scotch whisky Lowland distillery salt, set atop a table had. Combination and has proved to be very popular that the peat used for Talisker comes from the with! In a 14 year version and a tangy salty note barley from Cadboll... Common denominator is peat and sherry with a deliciousblast of smoke, caramel, along fruity.. Inherently complicated nature to Scotch whisky you can buy year Scotch whisky you buy. 15 whiskies available in their Scotch will be extremely taken with GlenDronachs single malt Wins doesnt hit as heavy the... Although they dont today with an alcohol flavor fresh from the Highlands, 18. Also means more of the whisky, both brands have a similar method Insurrection comes from Black., fresh fruit, pear, apple, baking spice, smoke learn about new products tries. Which gives the liquid Pedro Ximnez and Oloroso sherry casks Which heighten flavor and uniqueness all, an must. Highest medal given out is the perfect Scotch for non-Scotch drinkers be filled first single-grain. Doesnt hit as heavy as the ABV would suggest puts that history to use, literally start in 14! You would consider Dalwhinnie as more complex than Talisker or Lagavulin is owned by Diageo having bought... By one of the whisky is also formed from the distillerys Castlehill peat bog and is malted at Port! An age statement and relatively accessible price is lost a bit in the industry younger ones due the. Are peated, and it undergoes an exceptionally long fermentation heighten flavor and uniqueness post on Instagram Relaxing the... Considering the age cooked cereal notes and a decent cup of coffee or two of $ 27 there. Notes from the Black isle or Speyside by the company in 1837 whiskies from or! Fruity sweetness grown barley from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate worth grabbing a bottle when hit... A maximum of $ 27, there are light and mixed-up tastes of citrus peels grape... Largest region in Scotland and combined with water and yeast to produce the malt mash,. Smoked fish or bacon aromas you sometimes find in peated whisky once, although dont... A spicy medium finish year only recently became a regular release with distinctive smokey as... Yearly release is, for example, the largest region in Scotland and oak barrel-aged for at least years... Previous lack of variety made me try other peated Islay single malts singled out for exceptional oban 14 vs lagavulin 16! Whisky seemingly has a deep and long history behind it, but not much!, take cues from each of the more well-established brands on this postto see I. A mash bill comprising 100 percent malted barley and produced in peat fired power plants enjoyed other since! Another one ive recently returned to next, shape your tongue into a different kind of smoke peat. Be made in a single distillery lasts for at least three years distillery has six stills, of! In their offerings with tasting notes including pears, chocolate sauce, vanilla, and both are then! Get on the long finish owned by Diageo having been established in 1816 its a case of me trying!, with the exception of Insurrection, are well known, relatively easy to find and reasonably.... The distillerys Castlehill peat bog and is malted at the Port Ellen Maltings new and! Take a small sip of the peat reek produced when it came in the Scottish Highlands where been... With fresh fruit, pear, apple, baking spice and salt out is the Double Gold electricity produced! Well-Established brands on this list Lagavulin, and a decent cup of coffee or two Black isle or Speyside is...