Lagavulin Distillers Edition

Fantastic balance of smoke, peat, and sweet.

I didn't think Lagavulin could best its timeless classic, the 16-year old. But after hearing about this edition, which features an additional year of finishing in Pedro Ximenez sherry butts, it was hard not to get excited. Think of this as Lagavulin 17, and you wouldn't be far off -- it's a more refined, smoother version of the Lagavulin 16 experience. The aroma is gentle smoke, cashews and mild sherry fruit, candy sweetness (like Gummi Bears), vanilla, coffee, and some clove cigarette. This tastes like exactly what I want out of a sherry-finished Islay scotch. It's salty, with a savory edge of cured meats, brown sugar, apple, malt, and coffee after a few seconds. The sherry adds some tart berry sweetness as well. The finish is one of my favorites, although I suppose I could say that about Lagavulin 16 as well. The two are quite different, however, there isn't as much family resemblance as I expected. I get decadent dark chocolate truffle and cherry, with some wisps of smoke, but not the tar or asphalt-like ruggedness of the 16. 8/18/17 update - I neglected to thank MMMNRice for this sample! Thank you, Matt!