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John Johnston founded the Lagavulin distillery in 1816, though there had been as many as ten illicit distilleries in the area since 1742. Lagavulin was home to legal distilling under Johnston’s eye, however. Shortly after it opened, a distillery named Ardmore was opened close by, though this became part of Lagavulin a few decades later. Lagavulin, located on the southern coast of the island of Islay, is one of the world’s most famous Scottish distillers. It was founded in 1816, and eventually made its way into the Diageo portfolio, where it’s one of the six whiskies to make up the Classic Malts of Scotland series. All of Lagavulin’s distillate is made with heavily peat-smoked malt, giving its products that signature reek and pronounced maritime character that leads many to point to it as the canonical Islay whisky. In addition to the use of peat-smoked barley from the nearby Port Ellen Maltings, the distillers at Lagavulin credit relatively long fermentation times (at least 55 hours) and a slow secondary distillation process as key aspects to developing Lagavulin’s unique flavor.
Lagavulin 16 on the other hand is made using a much slower double distillation process. This creates a whisky that is much richer, with a deep, smoky flavour and a long, lingering finish. Lagavulins are aged for 8-16 years, while Macallans are aged for 12-25 years. Macallan is usually more expensive than Lagavulin because it undergoes a longer maturation process. 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.
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I enjoy providing food pairing suggestions when recommending and reviewing whisky because it helps to better understand the flavour profiles. Pairing food with whisky can make the experience of both the drink and the dish more enjoyable. Lagavulin 16: Food Pairing Lagavulin decommissioned their own floor maltings in 1974 and they began to get their malt from Port Ellen. The distillery ran a two day working week until the 1980s, which has resulted in some problems meeting the high demand for their whisky over the years. The standard bottling is a 16-year-old, bottled at 43% ABV. They also bottle a Distiller's edition, finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks. Alongside these, they regularly release a 12-year-old cask strength version and various older and rarer expressions. Liquorice, smoke, hints of peat with a fruity sweetness. Bits of oak, iodine, and vanilla. Delicate and well balanced. Unless mandatory applicable law provides otherwise, your use of and membership to the Service are exclusively governed by Dutch law. We shall first try to settle any dispute over a dram of whisky. Disputes that cannot be settled over multiple drams of whisky shall be solely submitted to the court of Amsterdam, The Netherlands unless mandatory applicable law provides otherwise.
On the palate, the whisky has a smooth texture with a pleasing balance between sweetness and spice. On the first sip, a creamy note of vanilla is immediately apparent followed by zesty orange peel and spiced fruitcake along with hints of sweet toffee. As it moves to the finish, the sweetness turns into a lingering hint of oak and cinnamon that lingers on the tongue for some time after consumption. A Royal Appointment". The Bystander. England. 22 July 1908 . Retrieved 26 February 2023– via British Newspaper Archive. Each and every Member must be of legal drinking age in its country of residence to be allowed to use the Service. If no such law exists in a Member’s country of residence, the Member has to be over 21 years old to use the Service. We have the right to ask you to provide proof of your age and/or to provide further identification to prevent underage usage and/or for any other legal or legitimate purpose. By using the Service, and by creating an account you represent, warrant and confirm that you are of legal age.With their reputation for a distinctive, bonfire-like aroma and strongly peaty flavour, you could be forgiven for thinking Islay whiskies are only for wintry nights in front of a roaring fire, preferably whilst tending to your beard ( editor's note: non-beard owners are viable whisky lovers, too). Lagavulin 8 approaches with a youthful, fresh nose. Its peaty smoke is bold yet lighter than the 16, infused with a clean, zesty citrus note, quite a surprise for an Islay malt. Despite its lighter smokiness, it allows the sweeter and fruitier undertones to be appreciated, presenting an enjoyable balance.
Both Lagavulin and Macallan are priced higher than the everyday, mainstream whisky but they are still very much within reach of most whisky enthusiasts. The Macallan 12 Double Cask is the more affordable of the two. Lagavulin 8 is lighter on the tongue, yet there’s a spirited robustness to it that makes it stand out. It doesn’t linger as long as the 16, but its vibrant character and depth leave a memorable impression. Each sip unfurls layers of complex flavours; ripe fruits and toasted nuts. And of course, that distinguished peat smoke, ending in a long, spicy finish. It’s the romance of a late-night campfire on a remote beach, the comfort of an old leather armchair, and the thrill of a good mystery novel—all bottled up. Lagavulin 16 on the other hand, painted a richer, deeper portrait. A potent blend of profound smoky sweetness was complemented by sea-salty hints that whispered tales of Islay’s rugged coastline. Each sip had unfurling complex layers of ripe fruits, toasted nuts, and a distinguished peat smoke that culminated in a long, spicy finish. These days, peat is used to add flavour to the whisky rather than as an essential part of the production process, and the balance of smokiness and peatiness is carefully controlled by each distillery to preserve their house style, but it remains absolutely central to the Islay whisky flavour.In The West Wing (season 3, episode 15, titled ' Dead Irish Writers'), Lagavulin was featured as the drink of choice of Lord John Marbury ( Roger Rees). [14] When it comes to the titanic showdown between Lagavulin vs Macallan 12 Double Cask, there is no easy answer. Both of these Scottish whiskies boast a timeless complexity that is unparalleled in the whisky world. It ultimately comes down to whether or not you are a lover or hater of peated whisky. The Lagavulin 8, though younger and lighter, offers a taste profile that’s vibrant and bold. It’s a good value-for-money proposition, providing a balance of quality and cost that few whiskies in the mid-range can match.
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