ISLAY SHOWDOWN 2: HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION Laphroaig 15 200th Anniversary Edition vs Lagavulin 16 vs Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition In my last note, “NEW AND OLD ISLAY SHOWDOWN,” I envisioned a comparison between two old flames: Laphroaig 10 and Lagavulin 16. Then I thought the comparison wasn’t apples-to-apples due to the age difference, and I subbed the Lag16 with Lagavulin 8. So today, I bring out some big(ger) guns—all very close in age. Laphroaig 15 200th Anniversary Edition was a limited edition bottling (72,000 released) introduced on the 200th anniversary of Laphroaig’s founding in 1815 (Laphroaig previously had a 15-year-old whisky in its lineup which was discontinued). Lagavulin 16 needs no introduction. And the Lagavulin Distiller’s edition is Lag16 “double matured” and finished in PX sherry casks; this particular bottle is batch 4/507, distilled 2002, bottled 2018. Each is 43% ABV. Lagavulin 16 is, of course, an iconic whisky, and there’s nothing new that I’ll provide here. This is true to a lesser extent with the Distiller’s Edition. The Laphroaig 15 200th Anniversary Edition is a very limited bottling, and I hope to offer some vicarious insight. My primary purpose here is to build on my previous “Islay Showdown” note, share a side-by-side comparison, and have some fun in the process. Laphroaig 15 200th Anniversary Edition Color is lightest of the three; clear pale amber. Laphroaig’s tagline is “The most richly flavoured of all Scotch whiskies”; but this one, despite the increased age, is more subdued than its younger brother was last night. Fruity peach nose and some baking spices coupled with typical Islay notes of seaweed and smoky peat, with just a whiff of iodine. Peaks on the palate, where the mild 43% ABV punches above its weight. Gentle smoky peat with a touch of vanilla on the finish. In terms of intensity: mild nose, peaks midpalate, and mild finish. From a bourbon perspective, this is the Blanton’s or Elmer T. Lee of Islay whisky: seamless, refined, even subtle, but confident in what it is. And what it is it does very well. 4.5 on the Distiller scale. Lagavulin 16 Color is a tawny amber, deeper and somewhat darker than the Laph15. There’s little I can provide that isn’t already known about such an iconic whiskey, and if you’re reading this, you already this. For me, the nose is not particularly effusive, but swirling coaxes a host of aromas: along with Islay typicity, there is a citrus sweetness not unlike Licor 43, and even a tanginess that could pass for Heinz 57 (!). Smoky peat on the long finish. The same 43% ABV is not as noticeable as it was with the Laph15/200; this could be a function of the more mellow (though still very complex) tones of the Laph15/200, or the slightly more pronounced olfactory and flavor attributes of Lag16. 4.5 on the Distiller scale. Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition Darkest of the three due to the sherry cask finishing. On the nose, the sherry casks have a dampening (but not suppressing) effect on the seaweed, iodine, and smokey peat, adding complexity with hazelnut, dates, and some brown sugar. Despite being the same 43% ABV as the others, the heat is slightly more noticeable than its Lag16 sibling. Slightly weightier mouthfeel. Everything in balance, with more components. Just outstanding. For context: in the sherry-meets-Islay world, this is a Porsche 911 Turbo S in GT Silver Metallic, whereas Ardbeg Uigeadail is a Ferrari LaFerrari in Rosso Corsa: both incredible automobiles, but the former is more refined. 4.5 on the Distiller scale. If you’ve read this far, there’s really no winner here. This is not an “everyone gets a trophy” space—except it is, in this case. Each is phenomenal in its own right. These whiskies are not facsimilies of one another; there is diversity even in the confines of Islay whisky. On a value basis, Lag16 is the clear winner. It is widely available in the U.S. and can typically be found for around $90. The Distiller’s Edition has more limited production, and can be found for $110-120 in the U.S. The Laphroaig 15 200th Anniversary Edition was a limited edition, and can be found online for around $300 in the U.S. (I think I paid about a third of that a few years ago). While there are Islay-specific similarities between the three, they exhibit real differences, but no hard edges or deficiencies when tasted side-by-side. Each is deserving of contemplative, unadulterated consumption. Forget water; this is 43% ABV. Drink it neat. Nose it. Swirl it. Savor it. Enjoy it. Share it. And be thankful for it. In a word: Laphroaig 15/200: Peachy. Lagavulin 16: Outdoorsy. Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition: Urbane. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Smokey sweet iodine nose Chewy medium fruit light chocolate. Tobacco finish. The sherry is there but it is a little subdued. Smoother and less smokey than the 16. Good stuff though.

Perfect, smoke, pest, Mexican vanilla, smooth as silk, perfection of peat in a bottle

Un parfum très iodé mais velouté aussi, un corps rond, une finale fumée et saline mais aussi fruitée et sucrée, un caramel enveloppant, des dattes de type Deglet Nour, une touche de cendre en arrière plan, une marmelade d’orange, des bonbon rockets, complexe et capiteux!

Happy Father's Day to me. Happy Father's Day to my dad, who to me is the most amazing dad in the history of dads. I'm gonna let you in on something, I'm drunk right now, so you're about to see typos. I'm gonna let you in on something else, it's because of this bottle, this bottle that I bought a month ago, knowing that this was going to be the bottle I opened on this day to celebrate how much I love that guy. So, we both love Islay, we both love peat, we both love smoke. And I had my eye on this one, because, well, reputation, and the community rating here has this at 4.5. So, it's an obvious choice. If you haven't read some of my older reviews, let me sum up that sharing a scotch is the way me and my dad can start to relate. Once we share the scotch we get to talking and once we get to talking we have a good time and we realize how much we're alike and how similar the shit we go through on a day-to-day level is the same. So, I know you're interested in the scotch, but allow me first to have a little room for an aside. I have the most awesome kids any dad could hope for. They're nine and almost seven. And yesterday, they went to the Farmer's Market with their mom to get me gifts for today. And what did they get? Thoughtful ass shit! is what they got. My daughter bought me four chocolate whoopie pies with peanut butter filling and my son got me some local homemade hot sauce, and if you're a fan of Islay don't tell me you're not a fan of hot sauce; in fact, if you're a fan of whisky whether it be bourbon, scotch, Irish or rye, I'm pretty sure you all like the hot sauce, am I wrong? And my wife bought me a copy of Bull Durham on Blu ray, so I had a pretty good Father's day, are you feeling me? Then, a week back, my wife said, why don't you invite your mom and dad, because I'd like to roast a chicken and make a mole negro, and I was like, sounds dope. So, when you cross reference all that with a bottle of Lagavulin Distiller's, do you understand the kind of day I've had? Amazing. So I'm going to tell you that at 110$ this is the most expensive bottle I've ever bought, and I can't deny that that plays a role. But I am also going to assure you that if the bottle sucked, I would tell you that too. The only other whisky I've ever given a 4.75 is Laphroaig 2021 Cairdeas PX, which was amazing. Also peated, also finished in PX sherry casks, but whereas that was younger but cask strength, this was older and bottle at 86 proof. And this one was similar, but subtle. The nose was sweet and smoky, salted caramel, smoked meats, the palate similar with fruit notes added and a great lingering finish. Splashing with water makes it floral, like not just a garden but a forest of flowers, it mutes the smoke and brings forth the caramel as well as adding a note of black licorice. Overall, mighty tasty, and a nice glass to raise a toast to those putting in the world of raising the kids. Would I buy it again? No doubt. Did we finish half the bottle in the course of three hours? You bet. Wait, where are my kids? Oh, that's right, they're in bed. Don't worry. I drank responsibly. Whatever that means....

It is perfect.

Classic lagavulin with a nice sweet dark fruit finish. Almost toffee like with dried fruits on the nose, spices on the palate and a long finish. This is quite good!

Considering im not a big fan of smokey and prefer a more smooth whiskey i still cant deny that this is a savoury delight to enjoy.