Lagavulin 16 Year Old

This is a review for the 2009 bottling of Lagavulin 16, which I like a little better than my previous 2006 bottling.

Nose: Great balance of peat smoke and sherry flavors (dried fruits), with some iodine in the mix. The sherry isn’t strong, hinting at mixed and/or refill cask maturation, but the overall effect is a rich one.

Palate: A rich, creamy mouth feel with a pleasant drying sensation and a bit of subtle spice. All parts of the tongue are involved in the experience. It could be stronger, though, with more spiciness. I think it would border on perfection if they could infuse a Talisker-like pepper and bottle it at 46-48%.

Finish: Very long, with continued drying on the tongue, along with some sweetness. Peat smoke (leaning more towards coal smoke now) and dried fruits linger perfectly in the back of the nostrils.

Comments: My 2006 bottle had more caramel, to the point where it almost got in the way at the end. This 2009 bottling is more balanced. A true classic, and one to always have in the cabinet.

Rating: 92/100 points.

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