Slainte-Mhath
Lagavulin 16 Year
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
October 14, 2016 (edited March 6, 2024)
Is this whisky overrated and overhyped? Definitely not! Lagavulin 16 is an outstanding Islay single malt and a cornerstone of Scotch whisky culture. Intense peat smoke with hints of iodine and seaweed dominates the nose, merging with soft and yet substantial sherry cask sweetness. On the palate, it tastes full-bodied, peppery and deliciously sweet with dried fruits and an overwhelming blast of dry peatiness. The finish is prolonged, warming and spicy. A superb malt that would be even better with 46% ABV, no chill filtering and natural color.
RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]
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👏 well said, @Slainte-Mhath.
Re-reviewed in 08/2019: Tough decision ahead! Lagavulin 16 is 'the' malt that started my personal malt journey, and I have rated it rather high in the past (4.5 stars ≙ 91 pts). In 2017 and 2018, I re-visited my old friend, and each time I was reassured that it didn't loose its quality and punch. However, this year I began to struggle, as I noticed some obvious changes. The nose seemed a bit subdued and the finish shorter than I remembered. Maybe it's just imagination as @Rick_M said, or maybe @cascode was spot on when he concluded in his re-review that things have indeed changed? After tasting about 500 malts, it might be ME who has changed, and not the whisky? Who knows. After long consideration, I decided to knock off 1 point (= 90 pts) and attach a 'minus' to the 'superb'. Complexity/depth of nose and taste, length of the finish: all of this is important, but at the end of the day you want a malt with CHARACTER. Fortunately, that is something which Lagavulin 16 has never lost, despite its little flaws and changes. Slàinte!
This may be the scotch that tips the scales away from bourbon and to single malts for me. I loved the Lap10 and like the Ardbeg, but the Lag16 is almost other worldly.
Re-reviewed in 08/2018: Not much words needed - as good as always, a true benchmark whisky, and a very reliable choice in bars with limited alternatives.
Re-reviewed in 10/2017: I was a bit afraid that this classic malt could have lost some of its magic after I have tasted and reviewed so many different whiskies. Fortunately, it is as good as I remembered! Along with Highland Park 18yo and GlenDronach 15yo, it is my benchmark for 4.5 stars and always worth a re-visit!
Peat is an acquired taste - as you said, you either love it or hate it. Best advice I got when I started on my 'malt journey': Don't pretend to like peat when you don't. Fortunately, I do!
This one is a classic. Love / Hate relationship...I've found either you love it, or hate it. I'm in the "love it, can't have enough" camp. Also...side benefit...keeps the kids and wife away while you enjoy this on your own. When I open a bottle, clears out the room of any kids and wife. Just me and my Lag16.