Tastes

I prefer this Lagavulin to the OB 16 year old. Had a pour at a bar. My advice is to put 2-3 drops of water and let it sit for 20 minutes. It really opened up. It was good from the start but got even better.

If you’re an experienced whiskey drinker I wouldn’t bother. Nothing special. Rather bland and has the shortest finish for a 10 year old. Maybe more than 40% alcohol would help? It got more bland as the fill went down. Seemed more like flavored water with alcohol added. Having said that. It would be a great introduction to a non whiskey drinker. Not challenging at all. At this price point I will not recommend.

A high barley content, 49%. So it is not as sweet if it had corn or higher rye %. You get the grassy, cereal notes you would expect from barley, with a slightly sweet flavor with nuanced spices, including pepper from the rye. Local liquor store brought it in but now discontinuing because no ones buying. Price point is $50ish but the odd mash bill turns people away from trying. I’m glad I did.

Tastes of charred corn. Heavy wood tannins for me are too overwhelming. Maybe a little more age will help? Short finish. Good potential.

If you are a whiskey purist..DON’T BUY! The port will ruin it for you. But I found it interesting and unique. Sweet, smooth, chocolate, vanilla, with sweet wood tannins. On the nose I do get rye notes. Good for after dinner. This one could be enjoyed by those who say they don’t like whiskey.

Very light colored in the glass. Light tasting. Prob due to the lightly charred barrels used. Could be helped with higher strength. Oily, vanilla, light caramel. Tastes more of a wheated bourbon. Overall not bad but not exciting. But at this price point it’s ok.

Excellent value. It's a softer gentler rye. Good introduction for bourbon drinkers given its high corn content. Arrival is sweet with caramel. You get the rye notes in the development and finish. Cereal and biscuit notes. A hint of spices and not not much pepper. I get a subtle chocolate note. Even at 110 it handles well. A touch of heat but is balanced well.