Lagavulin 16 Islay Single Malt

[scthornton]

I am a short time scotch drinker, mostly within the last year. I have really been enjoying the Macallan 12, 15, 18, Dalmore 12 etc. I haven't branched out a whole lot, just enjoying these. Recently I decided to try something new, an Islay scotch. After reading what seemed like no bad reviews of the Lagavulin 16, I decided to give it a try.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is an entirely different scotch than a Highland. My question is, to the pros like Ray, will I ever enjoy something like this? Is the Islay an acquired taste or should I assume since I didn't like this one, I'm not an Islay person? Vague question I know, just curious as to what you guys think. My impressions were the Islay had a hint of scotch with the main takeaway being liquid smoke. I'm not sure I know what peaty is, seemed to be a common description, but I thought this was a smoky scotch...

Anyway, any input would be appreciated.

 

[AVB]

For most people the Islays are an acquired taste. you might want to try a Bowmore or a Bunnahabhain as a slower introduction to the Islays as they are certainly more laid back then the Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Caol Ila, et al.

 

[celticmanx]

I was turned onto that dram by one of my buddies from England. I poured a size 18 ring finger and took a sip. Speaking of rings, I was ready to ring my buddies neck!!! I though I was drinking paint thinner. So I finished the glass and instantly poured another, yes I've been told I'm a glutten for punishement. I figured he's a good friend and he wouldn't have told me to buy it if he didn't think I'd like it..so if as first you don't succeed.. try again.

Needless to say I really didn't like it until I was about halfway through the bottle, now I actually love it and always keep a bottle in stock. If you don't follow AVB's advise with a less peaty version, I'd suggest drinking a little each night like I did and see if you can get your pallet to adjust a bit. It took me about 4-5 nights if I remember correctly to really begin to appreciate it. Overall it's a rather smooth scotch... hope you learn to enjoy it like I have.

 

[GregSVT]

I did not like this at all either but I only had a sip of it at a company christmas party. From what I remember it had a very medicinal/iodine taste that I could not get over. I may give it or a Bowmore a try again in the future as my cigar tastes have expanded so I'm sure my scotch tastes will as well.

 

[Lupa Namfauk]

To me the Islay's were love at first taste. The first scotch I ever had was 18 year old Glenlivet. Soon after I was on a business trip to Atlanta and I stayed at the Wyndam downtown, that on like the 72nd floor had a revolving bar at the top of the hotel. Well every evening I made way up there for a nightcap and they had a good selection of single malt, but it was the 16 year Lagavulin I kept coming back to. I just love the way the smoky peat stays on your palet. These days I rarely stray from Laphroig or Lagavulin, however I do like a shot of Booker's Bourbon occasionaly, particularly after a hearty steak dinner.

 

[khari]

Definitely NOT love at first taste for me. My brother bought me a bottle of Laphroaig 10 CS for my birthday one year. That stuff nearly messed me up for Islays (I remember the first sip well. I poured a dram for the guests at my party. We toasted. We drank. Then we cursed and spat it out after trying it). Then, I began to not hate it so much after a few weeks of trying it. Then I got a sip of Laphroaig 30 and that did it! Now I love Islay malts including the Laphroaig 10 CS, but I don't usually go back to that bottle. I think it got inside my head...

 

[AVB]

It took me a few years to work up to Laphroaig in the 70's but I'm glad I kept at it!

 

[sigar_zealot]

It took me quite a while to take to the Islays. I didn't care for the 1st several glasses of Lagavulin I sampled, but I kept trying because I wanted to see if I could taste what most people saw that makes it so special. After about the 8-9th glass over maybe a 8-9 month period I could finally see why this is so popular. The peat and smoke were so overpowering at 1st I could begin to taste the sherry influence. Finally one day I ordered a Lagavulin 16 and Laphroaig 15 at the same time.

While not an Islay, Highland Park 18 is a wonderful example of what a lightly peated scotch can be and without a doubt played a part in my learning to enjoy Lagavulin, Laphroaig and other Islays.

 

[Lupa Namfauk]

The Laphoig 10 year CS is some pretty stout stuff! I actually prefer the 10 year Laphoig to the 15 year. The one I had trouble with was Ardberg, that takes a seasoned single malt palet. I had a couple bottles of the 10 year Laphroig before I ever tasted Lagavulin, once I tasted it I knew I found my go to. I have tried plenty of single malts, but I have not found one (for me) that was superior to Lagavulin 16 year. The ones I have tried with more age tend to be too mellow for my tastes. At $65 a bottle Lagavulin is not cheap, but I have found I can spend a whole lot more for something that does not satisfy my tastes like good old Lagavulin!

 

[Hugomarink]

I've owned three bottles of single malt scotch in my life. The first one obtained, about 8 years ago, was a bottle of Laphroaig 10yo that was given to me as a gift, and that I thought was just horrible. I wasn't much of a scotch drinker before that but couldn't believe how wretched that stuff tasted to me. I did manage to choke down the whole bottle over the course of a couple of years but never got any enjoyment out of it. It tasted like salty antiseptic with polluted boat harbor overtones. I never could understand why that bottle is so popular. Is it at all possible I got a bad bottle or something? Does that even happen? Or maybe my palate just wasn't ready for a drink of that style.

I next acquired a bottle of Oban 14yo that I thought was pretty darn nice. Definitely easier to take and smoother than the Laphroaig.

And just a couple of weeks ago I bought a bottle of Lagavulin 16yo and think that stuff is amazing! I love it. I find it to be an amazingly complex and flavorful scotch. I agree that that it has a very smoky flavor and, to me, it doesn't have that medicinal/salt marsh/boat harbor taste (which I assume is the peatiness) that so dominated the Laphroaig.

Despite my horrible start with the Laphroaig 10yo I am interested to try the Laphroaig 30yo but that's mostly from reading a description of it one of the John Rain novels by Barry Eisler. Sounds like gooooood chit!

 

[AVB]

I don't know about what Mr. Eisler says but you can read my review here.

 

[rbbrock]

I've owned three bottles of single malt scotch in my life. The first one obtained, about 8 years ago, was a bottle of Laphroaig 10yo that was given to me as a gift, and that I thought was just horrible. I wasn't much of a scotch drinker before that but couldn't believe how wretched that stuff tasted to me. I did manage to choke down the whole bottle over the course of a couple of years but never got any enjoyment out of it. It tasted like salty antiseptic with polluted boat harbor overtones. I never could understand why that bottle is so popular. Is it at all possible I got a bad bottle or something? Does that even happen? Or maybe my palate just wasn't ready for a drink of that style.

I next acquired a bottle of Oban 14yo that I thought was pretty darn nice. Definitely easier to take and smoother than the Laphroaig.

And just a couple of weeks ago I bought a bottle of Lagavulin 16yo and think that stuff is amazing! I love it. I find it to be an amazingly complex and flavorful scotch. I agree that that it has a very smoky flavor and, to me, it doesn't have that medicinal/salt marsh/boat harbor taste (which I assume is the peatiness) that so dominated the Laphroaig.

Despite my horrible start with the Laphroaig 10yo I am interested to try the Laphroaig 30yo but that's mostly from reading a description of it one of the John Rain novels by Barry Eisler. Sounds like gooooood chit!

If you now like the Lagavulin 16, I think it's unlikely that Laphroaig 10 will kick your ass the way it did 8 years ago. Before ponying up for the 30, were I you, I would spend $40 to give the 10 another try, but then it is one of my favorites, and a great value.

 

[JoseGonzalez]

Long live peaty scotch. Lagavulin and and Laphraoig are two favorites. Nothing beats a good peat

I do love all scotch, but the Islay and lowlands are the most flavorful to me.

 

[Hugomarink]

I don't know about what Mr. Eisler says but you can read my review here.

Oh, I've been reading your reviews a lot of late. What a wealth of information! Thank you for making that available to us.

And, Mr. Eisler obviously feels the same as you do about the Laphroaig 30yo.

 

[Hugomarink]

If you now like the Lagavulin 16, I think it's unlikely that Laphroaig 10 will kick your ass the way it did 8 years ago. Before ponying up for the 30, were I you, I would spend $40 to give the 10 another try, but then it is one of my favorites, and a great value.

I have considered that and am perfectly willing to try the Laphroaig 10yo again to see if my palate is better able to handle it. Still, I don't get any of that salty/seawater/medicinal flavor in the Lagavulin 16 that I remember from the Laphroaig 10yo. The Lagavulin seems fuller, thicker, richer, and smoother. To me, they seem like very different types of scotch but I know from reading reviews and doing research online that they are considered by many to be of a similar nature and style. That is totally opposite of my experience but I am the newbie with Scotch so I'll take everyone's word for it.