This is a decent release. Even the worst Lagavulin is still pretty good, and I’m sure this is far from the worst Lagavulin has to offer. As a 9 year scotch, it has a little less of a robust flavor than the 16 year variety. That said, the excellent Lagavulin flavor is still present. It’s very smoky on the nose, and that carries to the palate. The shorter aging period makes for a smooth finish, comparatively quick to many other Islay malts.