Tastes

Much like any Lagavulin, it’s got that briny quality and that meaty peat smoke on the nose. However, it’s quite a bit fruitier than the 16, and does lack the minty finish. Color is significantly lighter as well, looking almost like a Pinot Grigio. Finally, whereas the peat comes forward right upfront on the 16, it’s most present on the finish for this whisky. Super interesting anniversary release for Laga.

Brown sugar sweetness up front, more present on the palate than nose. Standard oak and cherry notes, with a surprising and subtle note of tangerine. Classic rye burn on the finish. Very pleasant, but not a beginner whisky.

It’s the way that heavy, savory peat smoke hits you, but then lifts off into a light, fresh, pleasant, minty finish. That’s what makes this whisky iconic. No other whisky does that.

The nose is simple, but pleasant. Aromas of sweet cinnamon, vanilla and pear. On the palate, flavors of blueberries, caramelized fruits and sweet sherry. The intense finish and rich flavors aren’t far off from the 12 y/o, but notably rounder and lighter. The Oloroso does good things for this whisky, and for the price, it kicks ass. However, it could definitely benefit from a higher proof.

The distillery’s signature bottling comes with a nose of crisp apple, brown sugar, and just a tiny note of mint. There’s a sweetness across the board, that persists through both the nose and the palate. Flavors of vanilla, oak, plum and just a hint of cinnamon. It’s got a gentle but lengthy finish. Overall, this makes for a pretty good baseline off which to judge bourbons, as it’s a really well-balanced archetype for the genre, albeit one that’s missing the cherry notes you’d usually expect from most other bourbons.

On the nose, many of the common bourbon notes are present (ie. oak, apple, cherry etc.) and there is also a brown sugar hint and hay as well. Sweet on the palate, with honey and vanilla, and a reallllly delicate finish. It’s a bit brighter and more vibrant than the basic Reserve, and less bold, which makes it a bit more approachable for bourbon newcomers. Good stuff!

The nose is heavy with that signature Macallan sherry style. But there’s also so much more going on behind it. Notes of walnut and chocolate with just the tiniest bit of raisin. On the palate, the walnut persists, and is met with more fruit, sweet maple syrup, and floral notes. Gentle spice on the finish. Yet another kick-ass expression from The Macallan!

A fruity palate serves to compliment a full, rich nose. There’s mint there, but if you weren’t looking for it, it would be easy to miss. Nice long finish with woody flavors and a bit of pear. For such an affordable bottle, it’s no surprise this has shot up in popularity among your more adventurous Irish whisky drinkers. Maybe you stick with the Jameson you know and love, but then again, switching it up can be a lot of fun.

On the nose, very buttery with some bread-like notes, and almost a honeydew of sorts hidden in there. The palate is very gentle, with a warm honey sweetness, though admittedly not a ton of depth. It’s super smooth on the finish, and slightly dry as well. Overall, it’s a really easy drink, and especially for the price, it’s not a bad Irish to keep around.