Lagavulin Distillers Edition 2022

Toffee Salt

Nose: Very fragrant with smoky tea, leather, beef bouillon and a slight creosote aroma, however there is a definite floral quality to the phenols with apple blossom, pears and red berries all clearly distinguishable. Reduction highlights the mild peat smoke and the floral fragrances equally. 85/100 Palate: The arrival is sweet, the PX sherry casks more evident than on the nose with apple, pear, vanilla and toffee apparent. Smoke grows in the development with a leafy, briny tobacco note emerging in tandem with light fruitcake and orange water. The texture has a pleasant weight that can take a little water, but a couple of drops is sufficient to open it up. 86/100 Finish: Medium/Long. Sweet initially and reminiscent of cough syrup. Stewed fruit, malt extract, and towards the end it veers towards briny dryness, which is very satisfying. 86/100 For 27 years, since 1995, this annual release of PX-finished Lagavulin 16 proudly displayed a vintage statement and release code, however this 2022 edition was the first to be issued as a non-vintage NAS. Does that mean it is no longer at least 16 years of age? Probably, which is a bit sad, but how does that affect the profile? In my opinion not a great deal, as this edition seems to me very much like those from the previous decade and I think it has been slowly getting sweeter, fruitier and less phenolic over time. My knee-jerk reaction is to criticize the loss of age statement but I can’t help but think that this Lagavulin expression has been gradually developing a soft elegance that really suits the spirit. Throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s Lagavulin 16 year old was one of my favourite whiskies, but for the last two decades I’ve detected a steady loss of phenols and character (many would disagree - but I think they are wrong 😉). In contrast, I was never a great fan of this Distillers Edition but I’m starting to like it more and more. Maybe it’s the whisky changing, maybe me. Maybe both. Who knows? What I do know is that this is a fine whisky and one I would recommend. Tasted at Lagavulin Distillery as part of a post-tour flight, 17th April, 2025 “Very Good” : 86/100 (4 stars)

Something off about this one. Sorry im unable to describe what it is, but i’ll gladly go back to the regular 16 year.

Nose burnt leather, cigar Well rounded, tart smoked fruits, meats light leather. I think i like the 16 better but this is tasty

Cherrywood, pungent, smoked bacon, danoise des fruits confits.