Tasting from rep at local liquor store... I was fortunate enough to stop in and have a rep doing samples for Oban 14 and Lagavulin 16. After passing the prescreening questions of “do you like scotch?” and “what region do you like your scotch from?” and a few awkward moments of small talk I finally got my little 1oz sample pour. Smell. Oh that beautiful smell of islay scotch is amazing. I immediately took a small sip and let the smoke and peat roll on my tongue and thought myself “wow, if I could drop $95/week on this I’d give up bourbon altogether and be a scotch man.” Well not really, but the taste of islay scotches are amazing the smoke and peat is such a flavor indescribable to someone who’s never experienced it. Lagavulin is a Laphroaig or Ardbeg but smoother. The finish is so smooth with no burn, which I’ve experienced with the latter two competitors I mentioned. Overall, as many others mention, just an exceptional Islay scotch at 16 years and is somewhat affordable (as an occasional purchase for me) I’ll certainly be buying one before the holidays. Compared to many others in the same year range and flavor to dollar factor this one is a winner. 9/12/19