Elements of Islay Lg11

Peaty, but approachable

The nose starts with barbecued shrimp with a squeeze of lemon on top then poppyseed muffins followed by floral notes of orange blossom and honeydew that fade to earthy high percentage dark chocolate with dehydrated cherries, toasted almonds and orange zest that transitions to vanilla creme brûlée, cloves, black pepper, capers and light oak with high ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with a moderate bitter and sour oaky spice that fades to smoked crispy pork belly with a tangy barbecue sauce then lemon poppyseed muffins followed by earthy high percentage dark chocolate cocoa powder on toasted almonds, maraschino cherries, and charred orange that transitions to vanilla creme brûlée, cloves, black pepper, capers and moderate ashy oak with high ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with smoked brisket, dark chocolate covered bacon, charred lemon and orange, capers and mild ashy oak spice. This is a wonderful blend of Lagavulin barrels that brings flavors of smoky meat, ocean brine, citrus, florals and moderate oak with a main flaw of those moderate bitter and sour elements on the taste, but still just a fantastic dram to sit back and contemplate. A huge thank you to @PBMichiganWolverine for the generous sample of this one.

Nose - mild peat, pear, apricot, caramel, honey, apple, cinnamon, banana, vanilla cream, bacon, leather, sweet floral notes, orange blossom, decaying grass, mint, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - sweet peat, champagne, apple, pear, honey, cereal grain, cocoa, orange zest, ginger, sweet floral notes, lemon, leather, walnut, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, grass, spearmint, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with sweet peat, ginger, honeyed fruits, and baking spice flavors. The nose is juicy fruit, subtle peat, vegetal mint, and vanilla cream. The palate is smoked meat, honey-drizzled fruit, bubbly champagne, baking spice, and tingly ginger. I love a good Lagavulin. Each one I’ve tried has been either good or great. This one is closer to great, but it just barely makes the cut. The aromas and flavors are nice but not quite as deep and rich as I’d like. Nonetheless, this is really nice, and a dram I’d love to have most days. Thank you to @PBMichiganWolverine for the generous sample!

I was so looking forward to this after my 10 day hiatus recovering from daily antihistamines due to an unfortunate misunderstanding between me and about 50 hornets. See, I’m not a bee, Wasp or hornet expert , but I learned something real damn quick. With honeybees, they seem to care less when you’re doing your thing and they’re doing their’s. Just don’t mess with them, and you’re good. Unlike honeybees, wasps and hornets have a mean temper. You so much as even come close to their hive, even if you’re doing your thing like picking tomatoes from your garden, they will come over and fuck you up. Anyway—-long story short…it was a lesson learned in melittology, the study of bees, through gang violence and an ER visit. Okay, so this—-is there ever such a thing as a bad Lagavulin ? This one is a combination of two barrels —one from 2007 and another from 2013. Both bourbon casks. Personally , I had to add ice—-beyond 46%, I can’t manage too well. But you get immediate aromas of coastal sea air. Taste is classic Lag, hefty dose of peat , coastal salinity , and lemon chutney. If you like the core range 16, you’ll like this a bit more. It’s got more of the same as the 16, but a bit greater horsepower. Highly recommended and priced relatively well ( $85 for a 500ml…so extrapolate that to $130 for 750ml)