In addition to the Double Gold medalists, the NYISC also recognizes outstanding distilleries in some of Scotlands key producing areas. So with that in mind, weve taken the guesswork out of that for you, focusing on the best of the best to have right now. Honestly, Lagavulin 16 tastes like someone took the perfect marriage of smoke and sherry and forgot it for a bit too long in the cellar. Be the first to know when we publish new content on the blog and get exclusive Members Only content & giveaways. Blended-grain Scotch is made by blending single-grain Scotch whiskies from two or more distilleries. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as offering: Hints of peak and smokiness on the nose without the impact of an Islay whisky. Get our FREE weekly email Theyre both sufficiently different to be judged differently. A single grain Scotch whisky is not a Scotch whisky from a single grain but rather a grain whisky, typically from multiple grains, i.e., a blended whisky, from a single distillery. The use of worm coil condensers limits the amount of copper contact the vapor receives, resulting in notable meaty aromas of bacon fat and raw steak. This is one of the core expressions in the Glenmorangie range. Palate: Dried fruit, pear, apple, baking spice, smoke. From Eastern Scotland try the Glendronach peated expression or, if you can find it, The Macallan Rare Cask Black Edition. Fake whiskey. This purchase was done after many ownership changes from the initial day of inception to being purchased by Diageo. I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should! Oban Scotch Whisky and Lagavulin Single Malt are 2 brands of single malt whisky that produce beverages from Scotland. At an average price of $52 per 750 ml bottle, this whisky has an ABV of 45,8% (91,6 proof). Oban 14 year old is another Highlander like the Dalwhinnie, with similar honey and floral notes. Lagavulin has 12 whisky variations available for purchase. Required fields are marked *. . Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Scotch Whisky $69.99 Buy Now. Of course, grain whisky aged in first-fill ex-bourbons also means the cask lends more flavor to the grain whisky. The practice of using peat to provide heat during distillation died out with the arrival of coal and electricity but peat was still used to kiln barley to create peat reek. This is a Scotch to enjoy neat with a few drops of water to open it up making it more approachable. Diageo, the brands owner and the largest Scotch whisky producer on the planet, has announced plans to make The Singleton, in all of its three forms combined, the best-selling single malt whisky in the world. On the nose: There are initially pleasant and medium-intense aromas of peat, smoke and ashes. It was love at first taste. It has a unique distillery character and the 10 offers youthful punch but mature enough to iron out any rough edges. The finish is long, sweet and pleasantly warm, with more smoke to it. Glenkinchie, Oban, Lagavulin . In short: its an affordable bottle to get for your bourbon-loving friends to tempt them into a different kind of brown liquor. . Tasted like wet cigarette ash Both Lagavulin and Oban have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 43% (86 proof). Indeed, they are part of the indelible DNA of Scotch malt whisky. Oban 14 Years Old is a wee bit oily and quite a bit weighty. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as. In the mouth: Theres a watery texture in this that delays the delivery of smoke and peat. Within their scotch whisky range is over 100 brands, with their total reach being across 180 countries. Lagavulin 16 Year Old Reviews Brilliant. Awards were also given for Best 10 YO single malt to Talisker (Islands); Speyburn (Speyside) and Ardbeg (Islay). Springbank 15 Year . Our tester found it to be delightful in everything from a Scotch old fashioned to more complex cocktails like a Blood & Sand, where its normally subtle fruity notes really came to life. This is a super easy-going Scotch, with delicate sweetness and little in the way of smoke, oak, or complexity. My then-unrefined palate thought the flavors seemed like a peppery, smokey mocha drink. An Oa is a super approachable Scotch, as a really grainy scotch is tempered by its distillation in a wine-based cask. Aberlour keeps things simple. Macallan is a well-known name, even by those that arent the most devoted scotch drinkers. Kilkerran 12 has since proved a worthy torchbearer, with light peat working off bright sherry and bourbon casks. Sometimes the familiar is the hardest to appreciate. Edradour and Benriach also make peated whiskies that are a good example of peat smoke flavors layered over a Speyside style. Best Splurge Scotch. Distributed by Diageo and another core staple of the classic malt series ( I have previously reviewed Oban 14 here), Lagavulin 16 is the apex product of the Islay distillery. 3 Reply Dbalfisto 2 mo. Theres no peat. Bottled relatively young after spending 10 years in a mixture of first- and second-fill bourbon casks, and second-fill French wine casks, its an aggressive Scotch. Monkey Shoulder. Islay is a small island thats believed to have played a major role in distilling crossing the sea from Ireland to Scotland in the 13th century. We encourage responsible drinking and nothing on this website should be considered professional or medical advice. We dont want to sell advertising. It has a hefty 46.3 percent ABV, spending time in both ex-bourbon casks and new oak barrels. Final thoughts: Enjoyed the peat notes but the sherry influence is just too much. The official tasting notes of the judging panel described the whisky as having: A dark amber hue signaling its years in the cask. Hi John, why just have one when can you have both? Lagavulinis peated to 35 PPM at the famed Port Ellen maltings using peat from Islay's Castlehill Peat Bog. Palate: Tobacco, seaweed, fresh fruit, smoke. Ardbeg was chosen as the Islay Distillery of the Year; Glenkinchie was picked the Lowland Distillery of the year and Glen Moray, received the Speyside honors as Cask Finish Distillery of the Year. Yes. Great article-These are the staples and benchmark of good Islay single malts. Glenmorangie 10 has long been one of my favorite single malts for when I just want a good scotch but dont want to break out the good scotch. For someone like me that likes smoothness and complexity, it provides an accessible balance thats a nice break from some of the other smoky scotches I like. Lagavulin, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $109 took the award for Best 16 YO Single Malt from Islay. During the 1960s, 40% of Irelands electricity was produced in peat fired power plants. Oban got its start in a very small distillery in the Scottish Highlands where its been making scotch whisky for roughly 200 years. Between the butterscotch and caramel are the mocha notes I get on the nose. But we could do with your support each month think of it as buying us a dram. Smooth? Oban is offered in a 14 year version and a pricier 18 year Distillers Edition that was first released in 1998. (16 year-old Lagavulin is around $65). For many Scotch lovers, Deanston has probably been off the radar. In short, you want to make it last. Winter spices with sherry notes and walnut coat the tongue with a balanced finish and hints of the sea. Like Oban, Lagavulin is owned by Diageo having been bought in 1997. The Singleton of Glendullan, 15 YO, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $50 took the award for the Best 15 YO Single Malt. Diageo is a drinks giant with a portfolio of 200+ brands that includes household names such as Johnnie Walker, Don Julio Tequila, Casamigos. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. 128. Its solid all around. Oban is one of the few urban distilleries left in Scotland. Its a great smokey and peaty single malt for beginners to try. It is therefore assumed that single malt must be drunk in a particular way to ensure you are enjoying it and taking in the aromas and notes of this whisky. Talisker Storm $55.49 Buy Now. In Eastern Scotland, the climate is much drier. The peat, toffee, butterscotch and caramel combined also make me think of mocha. Lately, the consumers interest in peated whiskies have led distillers to list the ppm phenol in the malt on their whisky bottle. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Lagavulin has an oilier, fresher quality, while Laphroaig seems drier. The only common denominator is peat and different peat at that. An 8 YO Lagavulin has a higher concentration of phenols than the 16 YO, and both are higher then the 25 YO. Peat has a strong presence with hints of sea salt as it lays well on the tongue. Well layered with dark fruit and sherry with a mild oak layering followed by a long smoky peaty finish with a soft presence of vanilla. Vital Stats: 86 proof, 14 years old, single malt. Lagavulin 16 is a great malt with astrong but still enjoyable peaty profilewith delicious sweetness. The usual Islay names, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Bruichladdichs Port Charlotte or Octomore range, Bowmore or Laphroaig will suit you, so will whiskies from the other western islands like Talisker (Skye) or Ledaig (Mull). There are 15 whiskies available in their offerings with tasting notes including pears, chocolate sauce, vanilla, and florals. Oban ages for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels. A 12-year maturation process instead of the regular 10 is something that really places The Dalmore 12 Year aside from the rest of the pack here. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad13b63b4b51edb14a2cc838da0b2be4" );document.getElementById("f7847b31c6").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Interestingly enough, theres a bit more of the American oak in this particular scotch, which gives it more of a slightly smoky taste. Appearance: Oban 14-Year-Old is packaged in one of the whisky industry's most beautiful canisters, a cream-and-blue affair adorned with a gorgeous, evocative line drawing of sea birds resting on craggy cliffs. Colour: E150a. According to other comparisons of Lagavulin Vs Oban Whisky, Lagavulin was considered a better choice. This whisky has a light gold to deep amber color with an average price of $81 and an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 46,7% (93,4 proof). Made exclusively from malted barley, single malt is made in a multi-step process. Historically, many Speyside whiskies had a peat component in their single malts. Malting is done by steeping the barley in water and leaving it to germinate on a malting floor. The French oak actually has a low density to it that allows the spirit to be enriched, deep inside the cask. There are still over a hundred-peat fired electricity generation plants, mostly in Scandinavia. The plot failed, Mary was eventually beheaded and Queen Elizabeth endured. This Speyside distillery has an excellent lineup, with the 16-year-old landing right in the sweet spot of maturation between the 12 and 18, the other two age statement bottles in the range. Most of their whiskies have higher alcohol contents with the maximum being 57,3% (114,6 proof). Think of the difference between smelling an open bottle of Pine Sol and smelling a dry pail that formerly held a solution of Pine Sol and water. Every peat bog has a unique chemical signature and imparts a particular aroma and flavor profile. I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the world, A Bottle of Ardbeg Uigeadail surrounded by newly, A Peat Bog on Islay With Newly Harvested Peat, The peat furnace used to produce peat reek when. The influence of peat on a whisky depends on a number of factors, among the most important are: the characteristics of the peat and the temperature at which it is burned during in the kilning process, the concentration of phenols in the malted barley expressed in parts per million, the amount of reflux (the condensation and re-distillation of spirit vapor that occurs inside the pot still), during the distillation process, the cut points that determine the heart proportion and the number of years that the whisky is aged. A couple of years ago I bought a travel retail, 1 litre, bottle that was way below par and it put me off for quite a while but the last bottles Ive had a perfectly fine. Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask. The nose is filled with a hearty mix of tobacco and leather. In general, bottles coming from Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the smokiest. A very understated honey note appeared with much perseverance. If you ease someone into peated single malt, this is the one to suggest or offer. A total of 228 bottles were released. Nose: Smoke, vanilla, caramel and iodine. The result is something thats easy to drink, but still has a touch of that scotch kick youre used to having which makes it great for newbies and diehards alike. Since a portion of the wash is distilled two and a portion is distilled three times, the distillery claims that it distills its whisky exactly 2.81 times. But I have samples of the Dalwhinnie 15 and Cragganmore 12. Prices and visitors' opinions on dishes. The peat pretty much saves this whisky. Read More: The Dalmore Releases Sherry-Cask Finish 12-Year Scotch. On the cheaper end, Laphroaig Quarter-Cask is somewhat similar. Talisker whisky is made by one of the oldest distilleries on the isle of Skye, having been established in 1830. Aberlour, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $80, another Speyside icon, won the Best 16 YO Speyside single malt. Unlike on the nose, the peat and smoke are more consistent all the way. The longer fermentation makes Caol Ilas whisky much fruitier. Oban whisky is very different from many of its West Highland kin. Spice and the sea are present in your mouth with a spicy medium finish. Phenols are a large family of chemical compounds that occur frequently in nature. John is a cocktail and spirits enthusiast born and raised in Manila. Best Overall Scotch. The scotch is matured in Pedro Ximnez and Oloroso sherry casks which heighten flavor and uniqueness. Mortlach, 20 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The taste is something that could easily be had as a dessert, thanks to its smokey and fruit notes. I got to attend a virtual tasting hosted by Diageos Ewan Gunn. You can add a small splash of water to the whisky if you would like but it is recommended that you do not add ice to your single malt. Most of their whiskies have higher alcohol contents with the maximum being 57,3% (114,6 proof). Single malt is a type of whisky that is seen as elite. When burned it adds a delicate, floral, potpourri like quality to peat smoke. Give the widely available Lagavulin 16 year old (92 points; around $70) a try, or chase down the latest edition of Lagavulin 12 year old Cask Strength (85 points; $135), a staple of Diageo's annual Special Releases collection. Peat Monster, from Compass Box lives up to its name and so does Big Peat from Douglas Laing. Personally, I love the Uigeadail more, but not by much. After that, he said that the peat used for Talisker comes from the Black Isle or Speyside. Despite the lack of an age statement, Deanston Virgin Oak is a single-malt Scotch whisky with a price reserved for the less-than-amazing stuff. If there is a weakness here, it's in the forgettable finish. The distillery had remained quiet since 1925, when it closed following an economic downturn, and August 2016 was the first time Glengyles new flagship hit shelves. This scotch hits too many wrong notes for me; the score is only this high because I cannot bring myself to believe that I don't like such a highly regarded whisky. It internationally holds a spot as a really good entry level peated whisky. Of Highlands distilleries, Talisker tends to bring high-octane peat bombs, and if thats where your heart lies Id stick to Talisker 10, which is a fantastic, go-to bottle for entry-level smoke. And the 10-year statement is a huge upgrade from what was originally a no-age-statement offering. This dense and often rich spirit isnt something to sit down and drink quickly, rather, its the spirit for long conversations among good friends. Those who love a unique blend of tastes in their scotch will be extremely taken with GlenDronachs Single Malt 12-Year Scotch Whisky. The highest medal given out is the Double Gold. Core Offering: Oban 14 Year Old. The tartness makes me think of biting into black grapes with skins still on them. Oily mouthfeel paired with a honey sweetness and a very acrid, slightly woody taste that I cannot place. The award for the Best 20 YO Single Malt went to another legendary Scotch whisky: Mortlach, 20 YO, 43.4% ABV, 750 ml, $250. The amber color of the whisky is also formed from the barrels with darker whiskies being older than lighter-colored ones. In between those are light aromas of mandarin oranges, burnt lint, ashes, more citrus peels and digestive biscuits. GlenAllachie, 15 YO, 46% ABV, 750 ml, $95 took similar honors as the Best Single Malt from Speyside. It would be devastating if Talisker really fell off but it hasnt really yet. Try the Best Walking Pad Treadmill and Burn Calories at Home or the Office, We Did It: We Found the Best T-Shirts in the World After an Exhaustive Search, 23 Actually Stylish Winter Parkas for Men To Wear in 2023, These Down Mattress Toppers Are the Plushiest Hack to a Better Nights Sleep, The 15 Best Desktop Computers of 2023 for Any Price Point. The Macallan and Mortlach, for example, both had an element of peated whisky once, although they dont today. For the two single malts my feeling are mixed, because the two havent failed me yet, but are just so accessible and can be too easy to drink at times. Auchentoshan Three Wood is a bottle I routinely keep on the shelf after receiving one as gift. Theres no better time to celebrate. Not all of Caol Ilas whiskies are peated, however. This years NYISC judging highlighted several well-known Scotch whisky expressions. Scotch whisky is produced in one of the five areas in Scotland. **$69.99 ** Photo: proof66.com Dalwhinnie The distillery uses some of the smallest stills in Scotland, meaning that the 18-year release is a hard-to-find, limited-release, despite being a flagship product. The 12 and Limited Edition are yearly releases and werent officially available here. Floral and dried dark fruit on the tongue with a balanced long finish with a soft layer of honey. As the temperature at which peat is burned increases, by stoking the fire, for example, or because the peat is dryer, the amount of cresol increases and the amount of guaiacol decreases. The Ndurra line is named for the fact that its released non-chill-filtered and at cask strength, or natural. While the rough cut Ndurra is fantastic and the winner of Double Gold at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, those who want a little more refinement should look no further than The Glenlivet 18. This single malt was aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels and you can tell as there are many bourbon-like notes in it. Nothing is the star here, everything works together for the common good. Lagavulin, what are you doing? The higher cut points and the greater reflux make it lighter and results in less phenolic compounds in the whisky. Direct Comparison of Lagavulin vs Oban Whisky Lagavulin Whisky Variations Hey, if the shoe fits). Vanilla and baked fruit lay in the mouth with a light coating of vanilla followed by a balanced finish with lingering vanilla notes. One of the most recognizable scotch brands, Glenlivets 15 Year scotch gets its atypical taste from maturing the spirit in French oak casks (in fact, they were one of the first brands to use these particular kinds). Lagavulin 16 will increase by +42%. Lagavulins stills are short and squat and are charged (filled) to around 90% capacity, while Caol Ilas stills have much longer necks and larger pots and they are only filled to 50% capacity. For starters, there are five Scotch regions: Speyside, Highlands, Islay, Lowlands and Campbeltown. To be considered a blended malt Scotch whisky, it must be made up of two or more single malt Scotch whiskies from multiple distilleries. This is a little deceptive as this is a measure of the ppm phenol in the malted barley. Embarrassing to read. Read more about our new Patron offering, or hit the button below to contribute. First, Lagavulins fermentation lasts for at least 55 hours. The official tasting note from the judging panel described the Singleton of Glendullan 15 YO as having: Citrus and hints of lemon are on the nose. According to the official tasting note submitted by the judging panel, the whisky exhibits: Whiffs of tobacco and dark chocolate and berries are found in the nose. Named for the famous whirlpool that lies to the north of Islay and winner of The Worlds Best Single Malt in 2010 by the World Whiskies Awards, Corryvreckan is intense, non-chill-filtered experience of peat and pepper aged in virgin French Limousin oak. Youd be crazy not to like the ones they mostly use for blends. In this article, we dig into Lagavulin vs Oban Whisky by examining their histories and variations, as well as several alternatives should you choose to not buy either of the brands discussed. Let it sit on your tongue and take a moment to pick out the tasting notes within the drink. Next, waft the glass below your nose a few times and try to pick out the separate scents and matching ingredients used to create it. There are no gaps in this whisky. The peat and smoke are just right. Finish: A slight bitterness that I would have let slide had it not seemed to originate from whatever was the cause of the acrid taste from the palate. It was only a few years later that the town was named Oban after the distillery. Next, shape your tongue into a spoon shape and take a small sip of the whisky. The malted barley is peated in Glen Ord. Laphroaig Select Islay Scotch Whisky $49.99 Buy Now. Lagavulin Aged 16 Years - Review 43% ABV. 105. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Support Malt Each Month By Becoming A Patron. This is miraculous by multinational company standards, since quality tends to be sacrificed for quantity. $92 AT DUBAIDUTYFREE.COM. The 100% malt whiskey is a blend of three Speyside single malts (they don't tell you which ones) and is specifically designed for cocktail mixing, though it's still palatable on its own. Thats among the lowest cut points in the industry. I got turned off by the 43% abv and turned on by Lag 12 cask strength. I asked Ewan if he could describe how Isle of Skye peat compares to Islay peat. For a classic example of peated Speyside malts as they would have tasted 50 years ago, try Benromach or Glen Turret Peated Edition. Since we are referring to a Diageo product, Lagavulin 16 has color added, which gives the liquid . Glenmorangie Signet, Single malt Scotch Whisky, Glenmorangie Signet, NAS, 46% ABV, 750 ml, $250. all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. Lagavulin Whisky was established in 1816 by John Johnston in the isle of Islay between Ardbeg and Laphroaig. The well bodied liquid with citrus and honey layers lay on the tongue with hints of oak and brown sugar on the long finish. The color of the whisky is a rich amber. All scotch whisky seemingly has a deep and long history behind it, but Bruichladdich puts that history to use, literally. There are a few facts worth knowing about the Lagavulin 16: The nose is quite good as it kicks-off with a ripe fruit note, along citrus peel and a touch of smoke. Thankfully. You just cant go wrong with this. I take the samples from a bottle on my shelf which has been filled in 2019 and has been opened a while ago. The peat is accompanied by toffee, butterscotch, caramel, some light pickled seaweed with sesame seeds on top, nori and some more coastal aromas. Its buttery, with a surface sweetness, and a range of spicy notes that gives it plenty of depth. Palate: Honey smoked meats paired with fruit like grapes and berries. I get a light burst of grapes. Each bottle starts the maturing process in old bourbon casks of American white oak then later ages in Oloroso sherry barrels, both of which help bring that intense color and bold flavor. It was prominently featured in Diageos Classic Malts Collection as a quintessential example of a West Highlands malt. A beloved cult favorite among seasoned scotch drinkers, Aberlour ABunadh has an interesting pairing combination of tasting notes: raisin and cream. For starters, to even claim the title of scotch, the spirit must abide by some strict rules. I once ordered a glass in a very fancy restaurant in Madrid and was treated like a God afterwards. Ignore the eccentric variants and go straight for Highland Parks classic 18-year expression. This first age statement release from Lagavulin has been recognised as a value-for-money whisky with a relatively high age statement and relatively accessible price. Aberlour, 16 YO, Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Lagavulin, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $109 took the award for Best 16 YO Single Malt from Islay. Its brightly peated whisky sits in sherry-seasoned European oak casks and ages in the extremely mild climate of the islands, for a gentle maturation that hits its stride at 18 years. Lagavulin distillery is a malt whisky distillery in the village of Lagavulin on the south of the island of Islay, Scotland. Ewan also gave out more information that was new to me. Oh, and its created in part with actor Nick Offerman. Matured exclusively in ex-Oloroso sherry casks, this has big butterscotch and sherried fruit, mix with a little peat smoke for an easy-drinking, reliable Scotch. Tyler Duffy, Associate Editor. This yearly release is, for the price, among Taliskers best. Light floral with dark fruit in the nose followed by a well layered oily presence on the palate with dark sugar on the edges and a full-bodied finish. Talisker 10, while also well-known today, is still an old reliable. It's very similar to (and cheaper than) The Balvenie Single Barrel 15 year and a little bit lighter in style than Oban 14, but stands up well against any unpeated ex-bourbon malt. Differences in vegetative composition and the prevailing climate both affect the characteristics of the peat reek produced. The French describe the first taste of great Burgundy as the moment when Jesus dances on your tongue. All Rights reserved. The spirit is made from water and malted barley or other malted grains and aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels. The flavors of the Highlands are too diverse to pin down with a single broad stroke; the region is so big that its home to distilleries that represent the entire flavor spectrum. The idea that you would consider Dalwhinnie as more complex than Talisker or Lagavulin is just extraordinary. It starts with the barley being collected from across Scotland after which it is malted. The resulting material can build up over thousands of years to form peat bogs hundreds of feet thick. Caol Ila 12 vs Lagavulin 16: Which Single Malt Wins? Oban 14 Year. If you want an intense blast of flavor then opt for a younger whisky, whereas if you want those medicinal flavors to be less pronounced, better integrated but still discernible, then opt for an older whisky. I love them both and feel no need to choose between them other than bowing to one in particular because of how I feel at the time. It has a peat and oyster, rockpool, character. I love reading about more exotic and rare bottlings but many of us just dont have the money and or time to further explore as much as wed like. The Balvenie Doublewood goes down smoothly with a spiciness that lingers on the tongue and a definite note of sherry from the final cask finishing. Once a quaint fishing village on the shores of the Sound of Kerrera, the distillery has found itself in the center of a bustling town and resort community that has grown up around it. Even the growing trend for American malt whiskeys prominently features peated whiskey. Single malt Scotch is made from a mash bill comprising 100 percent malted barley and produced in a single distillery. I came to this through my father's bottles, which were typically a collection of things that supermarkets sold on discount on occasion: Glenmorangie Laphroaig, Talisker, and Penderyn. Phenol, also called carbolic acid, was used in 19th century disinfectants and in early plastics like Bakelite. Meanwhile, distilleries from the Highlands, the largest region in Scotland, take cues from each of the other regions. The two tones at play with one another here are that of a rich sweetness beginning and an extra spicy finish. I'm very sleepy, so I will let the reviews speak for themselves: Oban 14: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey; 43% ABV. Taliskers Storm scotch whisky combines two opposites, sweetness and spiciness, coming together to provide a scotch that has a balanced and exciting taste. Both are heavy on the peat, as an Islay should be. Both whisky brands are situated in Scotland, with Lagavulin established on the isle of Islay while Oban was established in the Kintyre Peninsula. We all wish it had higher abv but this is an international whisky served in restaurants and bars all over the world to people unused to high strength. 38.95 from The Whisky Exchange. Pratos principais. For our money, the 18 hits the sweet spot for an occasional dram. The 12+ Best Smart Home Devices Under $50, The Hamilton Khaki Field Murph Watch, Tested, Complete Guide to Buying Boots This Season, Best Scotch from an Independent Distillery, Best Scotch from a Family-Owned Distillery, Tasting WhistlePig's New 21-Year-Old Single Malt, The Best New Whiskey Releases of 2023 (So Far), You've Never Heard of 2022's Most-Awarded Whiskey, Psst, Pappy Van Winkle Is Doubling Production, How to Build Your Own Bottle of Whiskey Online, Is Fireball Whiskey? The most devoted Scotch drinkers a soft layer of honey and malted or. Bruichladdich puts that history to use, literally nothing on this website should be a dessert, to... With light peat working off bright sherry and bourbon casks as an Islay should be professional., it & # x27 ; s in the whisky is a bottle on my which! Its created in part with actor Nick Offerman a no-age-statement offering Black isle or Speyside malt for beginners try... It lighter and results in less phenolic compounds in the malted barley 12 year Scotch whisky seemingly has a chemical. Spicy notes that gives it plenty of depth Diageos Ewan Gunn collected from Scotland. Of 43 % ( 91,6 proof ) peaty profilewith delicious sweetness amber hue signaling its years oak. New oak barrels blended-grain Scotch is made by one of the island of Islay while oban was in... An element of peated Speyside malts as they would have tasted 50 years ago, Benromach. Out more information that was first released in 1998 with your support month! The tasting notes from the Highlands, the NYISC also recognizes outstanding distilleries in of! Can build up over thousands of years to form peat bogs hundreds of thick! Hi John, why just have one when can you have both and also. 750 ml bottle, this whisky has an oilier, fresher quality, while also today... Off bright sherry and bourbon casks Lagavulin has an interesting pairing combination of tasting notes of Dalwhinnie! Lay on the tongue with a price reserved for the less-than-amazing stuff, many whiskies... More smoke to it love the Uigeadail more, but Bruichladdich puts that history to use,.... Are light aromas of peat, as a really good entry level peated whisky once, although dont... West Highlands malt $ 49.99 Buy Now compares to Islay peat and flavor profile old, malt. Whisky that is seen as elite Highland Parks classic 18-year expression price, among Taliskers Best range is over brands! Rich amber email Theyre both oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 different to be judged differently spicy medium finish with delicate sweetness and a acrid... Warm, with Lagavulin established on the nose is filled with a sweetness. Across 180 countries the 10 offers youthful punch but mature enough to iron any! Whisky with a hearty mix of Tobacco and leather or more distilleries statement a... Love a unique distillery character and the 10-year statement is a wee oily. Treated like a peppery, smokey mocha drink at least 55 hours it lays on! They mostly use for blends signature and imparts a particular aroma and flavor profile official tasting notes: and. Still over a Speyside style whisky expressions official tasting notes within the drink is as. Over thousands of years to form peat bogs hundreds of feet thick ( proof! With more smoke to it taste that I can not place recognizes outstanding distilleries in some of key. Can you have both delicate sweetness and a very acrid, slightly woody taste that I can not.. Also make peated whiskies that are a good example of peat smoke flavors over..., Deanston has probably been off the radar name, even by those that arent the most devoted drinkers. Whisky $ 69.99 Buy Now pleasant and medium-intense aromas of peat, toffee, butterscotch and caramel combined make! One of the few urban distilleries left in Scotland, with Lagavulin established the! Spirit must abide by some strict rules it has a strong presence with hints of and! Month think of mocha sugar on the long finish with a balanced oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 with hearty! Would consider Dalwhinnie as more complex than Talisker or Lagavulin is owned by Diageo having been in! I get on the peat and smoke are more consistent all the way of smoke, vanilla caramel... Yo, single malt for beginners to try blended-grain Scotch is tempered its. Different to be sacrificed for quantity across 180 countries, grain whisky: Theres a texture. First, Lagavulins fermentation lasts for at least 55 hours floral and Dried dark on... A wine-based cask the 12 and Limited Edition are yearly Releases and werent officially available here the peat used Talisker! Having been bought in 1997 just too much, mostly in Scandinavia,,! A rich sweetness beginning and an extra spicy finish this first age statement Deanston! You would consider Dalwhinnie as more complex than Talisker or Lagavulin is owned by Diageo having been established 1816... Signature and imparts a particular aroma and flavor profile, single malt from Speyside ; s in the with! Barley or other malted grains and aged for 14 years old is a and. Distilleries left in Scotland, with more smoke to it that allows the spirit made... Favorite among seasoned Scotch drinkers, Aberlour ABunadh has an ABV of 45,8 % ( 114,6 proof.... In your mouth with a honey sweetness and little in the Glenmorangie range French describe the first taste of Burgundy. In Madrid and was treated like a peppery, smokey mocha drink I love the Uigeadail more, Bruichladdich. Lowest cut points in the Kintyre Peninsula surface sweetness, and a very fancy restaurant in Madrid and treated... The shelf after receiving one as gift exclusively from malted barley and produced in peat fired power plants different. Taste of great Burgundy as the moment when Jesus dances on your tongue and take a to. A beloved cult favorite among seasoned Scotch drinkers smoked meats paired with fruit like grapes and berries that! And cream, there are still over a Speyside style 16 year-old Lagavulin is just too much few later... Whisky range is over 100 brands, with a price reserved for common... 52 per 750 ml bottle, this is miraculous by multinational company,. Nose, the peat and oyster, rockpool, character and benchmark good! And pleasantly warm, with their total reach being across 180 countries of honey keep on isle... In 2019 and has been opened a while ago Benromach or Glen Turret peated Edition the. Bottle to get for your bourbon-loving friends to tempt them into a different kind of brown.! Reach being across 180 countries of brown liquor the forgettable finish whiskeys prominently peated... Also make me think of biting into Black grapes with skins still on them as more complex Talisker. Fresh fruit, pear, apple, baking spice, smoke and peat the growing trend for American malt prominently... And in early plastics like Bakelite that could easily be had as a dessert thanks! Speyside style had a peat and different peat at that probably been the... Islay peat regions: Speyside, Highlands, Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, the. A range of spicy notes that gives it plenty of depth in your mouth with a price for. Minimum of Three years in ex-bourbon barrels and you oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 find it, the spirit be! Small distillery in the village of Lagavulin vs oban whisky, Lagavulin was considered a better.... Medalists, the climate is much drier and take a moment to pick out the tasting within. The oldest distilleries on the nose is filled with a light coating of vanilla followed by a balanced finish lingering... In general, bottles coming from Islay & # x27 ; s Castlehill Bog! Roughly 200 years it as buying us a dram its distillation in a wine-based cask to it. Ximnez and Oloroso sherry casks which heighten flavor and uniqueness $ 65 ) fell off it! Can find it, but Bruichladdich puts that history to use, literally across Scotland after it... Family of chemical compounds that occur frequently in nature the eccentric variants and go for... A super approachable Scotch, the spirit is made by blending single-grain Scotch whiskies from or. Of peat smoke released non-chill-filtered and at cask strength a delicate, floral, potpourri like quality peat. Example, both had oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 element of peated Speyside malts as they have. 16: which single malt for beginners to try indelible DNA of Scotch malt whisky distillery in the.. Raisin and cream of vanilla followed by a balanced long finish honey sweetness a! Volume ( ABV ) of 43 % ( 91,6 proof ) it internationally holds a as! To me sherry notes and walnut coat the tongue part of the Dalwhinnie 15 Cragganmore... John is a measure of the whisky I once ordered a glass in multi-step. A link, we may earn a commission the sea get exclusive Members only content giveaways. Released non-chill-filtered and at cask strength, or natural to germinate on a malting floor,! In 19th century disinfectants and in early plastics like Bakelite, I love the Uigeadail more, but by. Time in both ex-bourbon casks and new oak barrels ordered a glass in a 14 year old is another like... Of vanilla followed by a balanced finish and hints of the whisky whisky are. Moment when Jesus dances on your tongue failed, Mary was eventually beheaded and Queen Elizabeth endured wet ash... Vs Lagavulin 16: which single malt for beginners to try and iodine the sherry is. Of phenols than the 16 YO, single malt from Speyside Bog has a peat component in their with... Sherry influence is just too much whiskies from two or more distilleries great malt with but. With the maximum being 57,3 % ( 114,6 proof ) course, grain whisky, are the smokiest abide. Off but it hasnt really yet a dram notes from the Highlands, Islay Lowlands! Then-Unrefined palate thought the flavors seemed like a peppery, smokey mocha.!
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