LeeEvolved
Lagavulin Distillers Edition
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
April 19, 2018 (edited October 21, 2024)
** Disclaimer: This review is what I would consider a “Quick Hit”- meaning I won’t have my usual in-depth notes that I usually like to take. The reason: this sample was poured at Whiskyfest DC on 4/17/18. All of these reviews will not be scored and I am actively looking to try them again at some point to do them more justice.
I was really excited to try the new Lagavulin DE at the festival because I have 2 unopened bottles of it. My first reaction was that the finishing sherry casks altered the typical Lagavulin smoke levels to a point I wasn’t expecting. While I won’t say it was bad, it was different. I believe I will be opening a bottle soon to do a proper review because I hope there’s more there than what I experienced. After I tried this at the festival I gave it a shoulder shrug and Lagavulin deserves better, lol.
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So, I just finished a bottle of this and figured I’d give it a score and toss in a few more notes: I’d say I’ll score this a 3.5 star but I’d actually round it down instead of up because there was just too much sherry influence. When I drink Lagavulin I expect BBQ meats and smoke to define the whisky and in this instance it was pushed out of the frame. There were even pours/sips where I didn’t even detect any smoky aspect- and that to me is a big no-no for Laga. It’s still perfectly smooth and drinkable, it’s just not what I want, especially as a special release. I realize I’m going to be in the minority here, as well. It’s just my $0.02. Prices on this bottle run close to $100 and I don’t think I’d pay that again.
@Rick_M No problem - just doing my bit :-P
@cascode - Not a problem. Thanks for helping to keep the price down. :)
The Distillers Edition changes from year to year, like the 12 year old, but oddly there is just the one entry for it here. I've had expressions that were excellent, but others just so-so. IMHO Laphroaig has the sherry-finished peaty whisky thing under better control, but then I've fallen out of love with Lagavulin across the board over the last decade.
It's all about the sherry! If you don't enjoy an almost half and half blend sometimes with your peat, like I do, then you're not going to like it as much. It hits the spot for me though.
@LeeEvolved - I just finished a bottle of the DE this weekend. I, too, enjoy the Laga16 over this but still consider it a 5 Star dram. My close friend that likes sherried whiskies first tasted this and proclaimed, “That’s it, I don’t have to search any further. This is the pinnacle.” That’s coming from a guy that’s tasted every Macallan ever made, except the crazy Fine & Rare, and I believe he’s had a few of those as well. :)
I liked it but personally after working my way through a bottle of each I preferred the standard which was a 1/3rd less cost. I don't think I've found any distillers edition I prefer to the std. Maybe it's cos they take something that they took time to make great and then just slap the finish on i.e. creating a distillers edition for the sake of it rather than really thinking 'what would make a great whiskey'