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Lagavulin 1999 Distillers Edition / Bot.2015

An old flame

2 887

WReview by @Wierdo

21st Dec 2017

0

Lagavulin 1999 Distillers Edition / Bot.2015
  • Nose
    ~
  • Taste
    ~
  • Finish
    ~
  • Balance
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  • Overall
    87

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

I must confess that Lagavulin was my first single malt love but lately we've been going through the motions. The conversation has dried up, there is still genuine affection there but something has changed, maybe it's me? But I'm not sure we really love each other anymore. Laga pretends not to notice my envious glances towards Campbletown and I...well I see the way that Laga flirts with the asian market and I think if that's what makes you happy then you should just do it.

Anyway this is only my second bottle of the Lagavulin Distillers edition. I had a bottle about 5 years ago and wasn't impressed. This is better. That bottle had too much of a sherry influence and it didn't really work. The sherry overpowered the smoke and the whisky just tasted confused. That bottle had Pedro Ximenez plastered all over it. This doesn't so I'll assume they've used less in your face Sherry casks for the second maturation of the whisky.

Nose

Peat (obviously), white grape, beeswax, dried fruits, cut grass, pineapple chunks

Taste

Medium mouthfeel. Quite mineral tasting. Pepper, leather, pineapple chunks, honey, peat, coal fire smoke and straw.

Finish

Long with the peat taking over. This peat tastes different to how I remember Lagavulin peat. Reminded me of Caol Ila.

Verdict.

This is a good whisky. If you like Islay whiskies and you like Lagavulin you'll like this. They've done a good job with the sherry cask maturation on this. It's quite subtle and just adds a bit of depth to the whisky. Which is how it should be.

But it's just a bit boring. Lagavulin used to thrill me. Used to make me catch my breath at times. This seems a little bit Lagavulin by numbers to me.

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8 comments

@MadSingleMalt
MadSingleMalt commented

This is one of the best reviews I've ever read. The "stale relationship" analogy brilliantly captures the way that I think many experienced peat-heads feel about this favorite old distillery.

And mmmmmm, pineapple chunks.

6 years ago 3Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

I agree @MadSingleMalt . Lagavulin, and several other big namers, have been mailing it in for some time now. It's a classic supply and demand scenario.

Excellent and insightful review @Wierdo.

6 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Hewie
Hewie commented

Best review I've read in a while - thanks. I think we've all got an "Old Flame" or two

6 years ago 2Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

Love the analogy! I don't have a 'relationship' with this distillery but my impressions of it formed from a few recent dalliances have been less than stellar.

I've had the sense that Lagavulin isn't what it used to be and you seem to confirm that here.

6 years ago 1Who liked this?

W
Wierdo commented

Thanks for the comments.

I think Lagavulin is following a path trodden by the likes of Macallan, Highland Park, Balvenie etc. They build a reputation and a following. Then they can't meet demand. The price starts to creep up and the quality starts to go down.

My favourite Lagavulin is the 12 year old. I've got a couple of unopened 2015 releases. But once they're gone I won't be replacing them. They're just too damned expensive now at £90 a bottle in the UK. That's a big price tag for a 12 year old, even if it is cask strength.

I think it's just the way of it, frankly. The likes of Springbank Glendronach and Benromach will get super popular and be brought out by a big conglomerate. Then in 10 years time we'll be saying 'do you remember when Springbank used to be affordable? Do you see how much they want for the 10 year old now? It's not as good as it used to be either etc'

Which is the beauty of a group like this. It allows us all to stay one step ahead. Because when one distillery starts to decline another takes it's place and we can make sure we're keeping up with the changes.

6 years ago 3Who liked this?

@MadSingleMalt
MadSingleMalt commented

Springbank? SPRINGBANK?!?! Shut your mouth.

wink

6 years ago 1Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

@Wierdo - Couldn't have put it better myself. If I had more expendable income I'd be bunkering quite a few of those you mention for such an occurrence.

Still, I'd like to think Benromach and Springbank are safe . . .

6 years ago 2Who liked this?

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