It occurs to me that I have only ever had Lagavulin 16 twice before, both times from a bar and a half empty bottle in full sun. That’s not acceptable. Surely this liquid has to rank as one of the most iconic whiskies there is. I often hear conflicting statements about it, but loved or hated, it is definitely iconic. I have to admit, I have been looking forward to this pour for quite some time and hope it doesn’t disappoint. N: Oh Sweet Cthulu, that is lovely. Is this smoky, yes; its Islay. But my word its soft and rich, and powerful without being aggressive. Creamy vanilla envelopes a sherried black smoky tea with a blend of creosote and antiseptic. The sherry note is cherry cola and leather. And then, over the last 10 minutes there has been brine and minerality. P: Thick and heavy texture. Surprisingly sweet the richness of the nose comes straight through. Big malty notes mingle with fruity sherry that is all deeply soaked in creosote, peat-smoke, oily salt and a slightly dry creamy oak. Perhaps, just perhaps, there is a lemon note hidden in the back of the palate. F: Medium-long. Warm with cool-smoke (is that an oxymoron?), tannic spice, sweet fig roll ups, creamy vanilla, and a hint of peppery spice. Oh no, I think I’ve messed up. I’ve had the 2021 12 y/o special release, the one with the Lion on it. It was magic, a rare 5/5 from me. The whole time I was drinking this dram I was thinking of that dram instead! Have I cheapened the experience? Perhaps. Or perhaps, Lagavulin is not as good as the ultra-hype, nor is it polarising and hateful. No. This is certainly a very good whisky. It is opulent, like leather elbow patches in a mahogany and leather filled library, but its also just a little tight and stuffy. The nose is magic, I could smell that all night. But the palate doesn’t give the same oomph or depths I might have hoped for, or maybe i just am not good enough to dig them out. The finish is tasty, but dare I say it, erring on forgettable. A tough position then, an iconic whisky battling against comparison (the thief of joy) and an amateur who probably doesn’t know any better. Oops. Distiller whisky taste #267 [Pictured here with chalcopyrite and galena (mostly) from Madan, Bulgaria. 30 million years ago some cracks opened up in some marbles that were enclosed in high grade metamorphic gneisses and amphibolite in what is now the Rhodope Mountains. These cracks opened up as some hot igneous rocks were intruding deeper in the crust. The result; hot fluids at 280-350 degrees C, carrying dissolved metals (copper, iron, lead) and sulphur precipitated these fantastic sulphide minerals. Personally I think it looks like peanut butter or butter scotch and I want to eat it.] Lagavulin running scores: Lagavulin 8: 3.25/5 Lagavulin 16: 4/5 Lagavulin 12 2021 special release: 5/5