RussShackleford
Lagavulin 16 Year
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
December 31, 2019 (edited April 10, 2021)
Tasted neat from a full bottle in a Glencairn glass.
Smoked red meats assault the nose, with a tenacity only outmatched by Ardbeg Corryvreckan. However, the smoke is a little different here. It's somehow sweeter than the Ardbeg, with more brine, and a heavy Tawny Port influence.
Entry is viscous, smokey, and rich, with a tobacco note that's not offensive, but not exactly sweet/smooth (less cigar and more chewing tobacco). Seaweed (the good kind you'd find in a gourmet Japanese dish) and sweet fruity Port/Sherry come together, with an heavy oak element not in the Ardbegs (This dram really punctuates just how young the Ardbegs probably are).
The finish is notably devoid of burn, and the spice is kept to a minimum, but the smoke just keeps on trucking. The fig/prune/blackberry Sherry notes develop for a time, although never strong enough to overtake the smoke, ash, and iodine. Good balance, but Talisker executes restrained peaty elegance so much better.
The palate changes when the whisky gets some air, lightening up, and turning much sweeter, more akin to Ardbeg Uigeadail, but unfortunately, inferior in every way.
Lots of parallels to my first encounter with the Corryvreckan. I will have to give this a second and third go, even though I'm not overly impressed with it right now. It's....interesting, and challenging. I also wonder if the character will change as much after opening the bottle as the Corryvreckan (and Uigeadail, to a lesser extent) did over just six-eight weeks.
I will reserve final judgement until I reach half-bottle, but this is not shaping up to be what I'd hoped it to be. Still solid, and the rating reflects this, I just think there is better for the style and money.
95.0
USD
per
Bottle
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