Dalwhinnie, Kinchie and Cragganmore are also scarcely available too. Not anymore, thanks to its win at the 2022 International Wine & Spirits Competition. Read more about our new Patron offering, or hit the button below to contribute. 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. Caol Ila 12 vs Lagavulin 16: Which Single Malt Wins? Orange peel and oak lay on the tongue with winter spices on top of the medium finish. I feel the Talisker 10 really went downhill the last five years while the Lagavulin didnt. Its difficult not to love it, but as a luxury Scotch bottle, it isnt designed to challenge you, but rather to open the door for anyone to enjoy what 18 years can do to transform whisky. In the Orkney Islands, among other places, much of the peat derives from partially decomposed heather. It distills spirit that will become Islay single malt Scotch whisky.. Lagavulin is owned by Diageo, a multinational beverage alcohol company headquartered in London.It was previously marketed under the Classic Malts range of single malts, which is now defunct. Peated whiskies that are finished in sweet wine casks add sweetness and dried fruit flavors over the smoke and medicinal character imparted by peat. a deep amber liquid with long oily legs. Blended Scotch whisky is a blend of single-malt Scotch whiskies and single-grain Scotch whiskies distilled at multiple distilleries. Thats why peated whiskies can sometimes have a medicinal/disinfectant or plastic-like aroma. Ardbeg is a brand of Scottish single malt that is situated a short distance from Lagavulin. Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Scotch Whisky $69.99 Buy Now. I dont like that theyre massive and tend to focus on efficiency. The NYISC gives out awards for Distillery of the Year by Scotch producing region. No, not just because it takes more time to create, but those extra years really pack on the flavor intensity more powerful than youd imagine. Oban is one of the few urban distilleries left in Scotland. Oban 14 year old is another Highlander like the Dalwhinnie, with similar honey and floral notes. Highland Park 18 Year. When burned, that peat can add a more pronounced aroma of iodine or smoked, oily fish. The phenomenon is also known as muskegs in North America. Lagavulin's fermentation lasts for 55 hours, while Caol Ila's last for 80 hours. Once home to 34 distilleries and considered the whisky capital of the world, a post-war economic downturn left the region with only a handful of active distilleries. This means that neither is stronger on average, although Lagavulin has some whisky variations that have a higher alcohol content with some reaching an ABV of 57,3% (114,6 proof). In those parts of the world where there is an absence of trees, peat has often been utilized as a source of heat. 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. Flavor hits with dried fruit at first, followed by pear and apple shrouded in baking spice and a gentle tad of smoke. 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. Its only lightly peated, and it undergoes an exceptionally long fermentation. Indeed, they are part of the indelible DNA of Scotch malt whisky. 38.95 from The Whisky Exchange. The Blended Scotch Whisky of the Year was Insurrection Single Grain Scotch, 25 YO, 55% ABV, 750 ml, $299. Not all of Caol Ilas whiskies are peated, however. Inspired by, of all things, the Vikings, Highland Park (as seen in the Nordic detailing present in the bottles design) 12 Year boasts a great balance between malty notes and floral smokiness. They slowly weaken as I go deeper on the nose. While Bruichladdichs main lineup consists of unpeated Scotches, Port Charlotte is aggressively peated in a way that stinks up the room when you pour a dram. Lagavulin 16 Year Old Reviews Brilliant. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. Introduced in 2017, Ardbegs An Oa Scotch Whisky blends together a few different cask strengths into a single vat. Smooth? 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. 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. Expect peaty drams of some of the best whisky in the world. Typically, this would add about 3-5 ppm phenol or so. Zen Love, Associate Editor. Yes. Highland Park Distillery is based on the largest of the wild, peat-filled islands off of the northern tip of Scotland. Vanilla and baked fruit lay in the mouth with a light coating of vanilla followed by a balanced finish with lingering vanilla notes. It was only a few years later that the town was named Oban after the distillery. But I have samples of the Dalwhinnie 15 and Cragganmore 12. Tyler Duffy, Associate Editor. Finally, dont ignore the peated offerings from the specialty bottlers. These barrels will infuse the whisky with an amber color and tasting notes from the bourbon. Degustao de Johnnie Walker . Veterans wont also find it too light. Bottled at 61.5% ABV, this is reminiscent of what Glenlivet would have tasted in the early 19th century. Both Oban and Lagavulin have whiskies available at an alcohol content of 43% *86 proof), although Oban only has this strength while Lagavulin has 43% as the minimum. All of these whiskies, with the exception of Insurrection, are well known, relatively easy to find and reasonably affordable. Lagavulin Aged 16 Years - Review 43% ABV. Oban Whisky distillery was established in 1794 by John and Huh Stevenson and was named before the town in which it was situated. Ill be reviewing them in the coming weeks. Laphroaig Select Islay Scotch Whisky $49.99 Buy Now. Its well worth grabbing a bottle when they hit shelves. 3 Reply Dbalfisto 2 mo. It develops in areas where organic matter is covered by water before it can fully decompose. Lagavulin 16: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey; 43% ABV. Most of their whiskies have higher alcohol contents with the maximum being 57,3% (114,6 proof). One portion is a single farm grown barley from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate. The two tones at play with one another here are that of a rich sweetness beginning and an extra spicy finish. The resulting peat has less moss in it so it lacks the overtly medicinal quality typical of Western Scotland. (It famously produces much of the Scotch for blending in Johnnie Walker expressions.) The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as: A dark amber with rich floral and citrus notes. For a subtler peat influence try the Glenlivet Nadurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish. Balvenie 14 vs Lagavulin 16: Discover Which is Better for You! Flavor is rich, with a deliciousblast of smoke, caramel, along fruity sweetness. Ive irregularly returned to this and enjoyed other variants since then. Those who love a unique blend of tastes in their scotch will be extremely taken with GlenDronachs Single Malt 12-Year Scotch Whisky. Talisker whisky is made by one of the oldest distilleries on the isle of Skye, having been established in 1830. The result is a robust, powerfully flavored, whisky that noted spirits writer Dave Broom has nicknamed the Beast of Dufftown. When youre more seasoned, the light and easy-to-drink malts will no longer do the job. which makes it great for newbies and diehards alike. It has a distinctive cracked black pepper note on the nose that is always an unmistakable marker for Talisker. This will cause the liquid to slowly trickle down the sides of the glass with older whiskies moving slower than older whiskies. Mortlach is one of the few distilleries that still operates worm coils instead of the modern clam shell condensers. While its great to taste on its own, the fact that its 80 proof actually makes it great to pair in scotch-based cocktails, if thats your bag. $148 AT RESERVE BAR. Plus, today, July 27th, is National Scotch Day! Finish: Very slight smoke pairs a very slight sense of fruit wine. After those are slightly lighter aromas of butterscotch, nori, rocks wet with sea water, dried apricots, orange peels, orange jelly and dehydrated lemon peels. Like Oban, Lagavulin is owned by Diageo having been bought in 1997. Hi PB, thanks for the compliment. The result is a creamy, fruity whisky with hints of smoke and a salty sea breeze. Ewan also gave out more information that was new to me. Signet is produced from two different types of malted barley. Laphroaigs Select Isaly scotch whisky has a bit of history to it. During the 1960s, 40% of Irelands electricity was produced in peat fired power plants. With its distinct dry smokiness, the Offerman Edition resides squarely within the Lagavulin canon, but the differences from the 16-year-old are noticeable. Lagavulin 16 Years Old Read More. These include whiskies aged between 7 and 37 years, with a minimum price point of $50 and a maximum of $3000. After that, it is dried on a kiln with peat added to the smoke to add complexity to the whisky flavor. Single malt whisky is a type of whisky made by a single distillery from malted barley. 39 Things Youll Regret Not Buying on Amazon, Review: The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE 16 Is a Sleek, Portable, and Impressive Gaming Laptop, Review: Sonys Inzone H9 Gaming Headset Is a Superb Introduction to Spatial Audio, The 13 Best Chromebooks Can Help You Get Your Work Done Quickly Starting at Just $189, This Half Football, Half Flask Makes the Ultimate Super Bowl Party Trick, I Was Horny so I Taste Tested All of #LubeLifes Cocktail Flavored Lubes, The Dalmore Releases Sherry-Cask Finish 12-Year Scotch, Too Busy for the Gym? Therefore Im a bit suprised by the comparison. This is a nice and easy sip that you can drink either neat or adding a dash of water bringing additional sweetness and more oak, although I like it as is. Macallan is a well-known name, even by those that arent the most devoted scotch drinkers. 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. That said, I think that sherried Islays are my thing; this tastes really awesome. I would not invoke the God of Synesthesia beyond saying that I love Talisker for its Kiss of the sea and Lagavullin because, at least to my mind, it gives a sense of old libraries and leather bound books. I think the T10 has been more consistent than the L16 tbh. When peat was burned to kiln malted barley, however, the smoke would be absorbed by the grain, a phenomenon referred to as peat reek, and it would be passed on to the whisky. Gear Patrol participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The region falls on the opposite side of the flavor spectrum (and map) from the peatiness of Islay. The heavier single malt is instantly flavorful, strong in proof, and inherently drinkable all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. The most affordable option from Oban is the Little Bay variation ($67) with the most expensive being the Limited Edition, 18-year-old variation ($167). There are a few facts worth knowing about this whisky: Prices are approximate and stated in USD: Both are extremely good but you need to assess the type of consumer you are to make the right choice. The distillery is now owned by Diageo, having been bought in 1989 through a merger with the UDV merger. 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. Oban 14 Years Old is a wee bit oily and quite a bit weighty. 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. 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. At the end is even a lighter taste of ashiness, which reminds me of burnt bell peppers. Press Esc to cancel. Dried herbs and a lingering soft sweetness when in the mouth with a light oak finish, he Singleton of Glendullan, 15 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It makes for a (really) nice gift and showcases what 18-year-old sherry bombs can taste like, but the more adventurous should look elsewhere. The only common denominator is peat and different peat at that. If you ease someone into peated single malt, this is the one to suggest or offer. Meanwhile, distilleries from the Highlands, the largest region in Scotland, take cues from each of the other regions. This is exemplified by their Islay Barley Scotch Whisky, which feels (and tastes!) The award for the Best 20 YO Single Malt went to another legendary Scotch whisky: Mortlach, 20 YO, 43.4% ABV, 750 ml, $250. ), 45.8% ABV. Under the official Scotch Whisky Association guidelines, the Highlands region is made up of all Scottish islands (except Islay) and the mainland of northern Scotland (except Speyside). Currently you have JavaScript disabled. He is Diageos senior global brand ambassador for Scotch. The competition is unusual in that it is one of the few competitions that relies entirely on judges drawn exclusively from the beverage trade. single malt is made in a multi-step process, Johnnie Walker Price, Sizes & Buying Guide, Legal Alcohol Limit By State What You Need to Know, Non Alcoholic Beer Laws By State What You Need to Know, Smoked peat, sweet notes, sea salt, mahogany, Smoke, marmalade, pear cider, toffee apples, Light gold to deep amber depending on the variation, Lagavulin 11-Year-Old Offerman Edition Single Malt, Lagavulin 7-Year-Old Islay Jazz Festival 2022 Single Malt, Lagavulin 12-Year-Old Special Release 2022 Single Malt, Lagavulin 12-Year-Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt, Lagavulin 26-Year-Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt. Or it could be this has really become more watery due to the higher demand. Winter spices with sherry notes and walnut coat the tongue with a balanced finish and hints of the sea. The 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve is aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to first-fill, heavily-charred American oak barrels from Louisville, bringing more wood. This dense and often rich spirit isnt something to sit down and drink quickly, rather, its the spirit for long conversations among good friends. Its home to the highest number of distilleries in Scotland, with well over 60 at present, including Glenfiddich, the worlds best-selling single malt Scotch. The longer fermentation makes Caol Ilas whisky much fruitier. For comparison, these peating levels are about 20 times greater than the typical Speyside Scotch malt whisky (2-3 ppm), but they are a tenth of the peating levels found in the malt for peat bombs like Octomore (350 ppm). Its classic Offerman. 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. 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. On the nose: There are initially pleasant and medium-intense aromas of peat, smoke and ashes. It tends to impart flavors of cold smoke and dry brush. If you want to get technical, they consist of one or more hydroxyl groups (OH) bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon phenyl (C6H5) ring. Reviews #7 and #8: Oban 14 and Lagavulin 16 I'm very sleepy, so I will let the reviews speak for themselves: Oban 14: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey; 43% ABV. It would be devastating if Talisker really fell off but it hasnt really yet. It internationally holds a spot as a really good entry level peated whisky. His interest started with single malts in 2012, before he moved into rum and mezcal in search of malterntaitves and a passion for travel then helped build his drinks collection. I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should! Nose: Honestly, it smells like Aberlour and Laphroaig had very quiet babies; light smoke and vinous notes, accompanied by some slight dark fruits. ABV: 43%. A bit pricey, which I suspect contributes to its more middling score in my metacritic database. 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. Of course, grain whisky aged in first-fill ex-bourbons also means the cask lends more flavor to the grain whisky. However, I very much enjoyed it. Caol Ila, Islays largest distillery, is a go-to brand for easy, entry-level Scotch from the region. The resulting material can build up over thousands of years to form peat bogs hundreds of feet thick. Not anymore, thanks to its win at the 2022 International wine & Spirits.. 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