Uigeadail or Lagavulin 16 or both?

@ewhiskey So far, these are my top two whiskies.

While some of the notes are similar, I'l focus on differences between them: the Lagavulin 16 is older and more refined but bottled at %43 (and with caramel). The Uigey is younger, with much a much higher abv. Sherry plays some role in both, but the sweet notes in Uigeadail seems to be "darker" (chocolate? coffee? raisins?), and it has a more syrupy body. It somehow manages to be both complex and overwhelming.

Even with the low abv, the Lagavulin is fairly intense as well. While the Lagavulin is known for its smokey sweetness, and its intense (peaty) nose, I also find the taste to be somewhat more delicate and savory. It has a nice long finish. It's the closest thing I can imagine to an Islay "comfort" whisky.

Both are bottles that I tend to nurse until I have a replacement on deck...

@ewhiskey I can not speak to the Uigeadail as I've only ever had the Ardbeg 10. However I can say that I'm a big fan of the Lagavulin 16. This was one that I owned for a year and was afraid to open it because I might not like it. See discussion thread Conflicted Dilemma. Having now tried it I say that it's a great whisky and strongly recommend it. Hope this was helpful. :)

I like both. However, if I had to choose one, then lagavulin 16 would be my choice. It's the big dog in the barnyard.

I second what @PeterG7 says. I too like them both, but the Lag 16 is the constant in my cabinet and the Uigeadail a more occasional indulgence, albeit a very pleasant indulgence. Lag 16 is an acknowledged classic, colouring and chill-filtration notwithstanding, and every whisky lover should have it close at hand.

I'll keep my answer simple: BOTH!

In my experience the Laga 16 has been inconsistent as of late; so much so that I'd go uigedail without hesitation. YMMV

Both are great and the advice here is good, especially from @Jonathan. Here are my two cents, in addition to what's been said. In NYC, where I live, I've seen a wide range of prices for the two bottles. Lagavulin prices seem to be especially volatile. I've grabbed the bottle at just over $50 and I've seen it for sale for $90. Uigedail is more steady at 65-75. Basically, I'd choose based on the price. If they're on sale for the same price, I'd go for Uigedail more often than not for the reasons that @Jonathan mentioned - higher alcohol volume (which means more flavor) and no caramel. Having said that, if you can find the 12 year old cask strength Lagavulin for a decent price, then get it!

I agree with @broddi...If you can find Lagavulin 12 then grab it. However, if I had to chooses between the Lagavulin 16 and Ugeadail, Lagavulin 16 would be my choice.

I'd go with Lag 16 on this one. I must say though it always disappoints me when colouring is added. Lagavulin 16 is a great whisky, is the additional colouring really necessary? I have great respect for the fact that Ardbeg keeps their whiskies 'pure'.

Mmmm. On further reflection, and tasting, I'll go with cjkocher. BOTH.

Good point on the colouring CanadianNinja. There is no good reason for it. It doesn' seem to detract from the quality of the whisky though. Perhaps most of the colour is due to the cask influence over the 16 years.

Both!

Well, they both share the sherry casks I guess and the peat and smoke et al, but I find them to be quite different. The lag has cymbal crashes where the uigie features stomping soldier's boots on their way to sack Venice sometime between 1508 and 1516, slogging through marshes, brackish waters, and mud, with gold and fair maidens on their minds.

The attacks, crescendos, and finishes are miles apart to me. The lag is more sophisticated in some ways but it also has brute force. I admire the uigie's ability to hit the "lower notes" in a more earthy boggy way. I dub it "The Legend of Boggy Creek" whereas Lag is more reminiscent of thunder and lightening beating down on the heath, followed by a break in the clouds and a few sunbeams piercing the mists. To me, it's very "El Greco."

Since all tasting notes are analogies anyhow, then why not go a step farther than smoked trout, salmon berries, and honey? Then again, there's the tried and true: "toffee," "honey," or "dark chocolate." It's all merely an extension of the imagination and that's what makes tasting good whisky a creative endeavor.

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www.youtube.com/watch

The lag actually is more oceanic, with seaweed hints, etc. so I guess that's where my analogies break down a little. oH well. I try

If I must choose one: Lagavulin 16.

@Wodha I agree with you however I've not had the Uigeadail so it maybe I'm biast. I hope to try the Uigeadil at some point but until then I choose the Laga 16. :)

Both, though as 'cpstecroix' alluded to, I would steer clear of 2012 bottlings of the Lagavulin 16. A definite drop off (in a side by side of a 2011 bottle open one year, and a newly opened 2012 bottle) in the overall smokiness, richness, and roundness of flavours. All were lacking in the 2012 bottle, when a newly opened Laga 16 bottle should really shine (especially on the smoke front). Personally, I would go for a Laga 12 CS over the 16 for the time being (and yes, that is where my $$$ will be going, whenever that may ultimately occur)...

The Lagavulin 16 is currently my favorite whiskey. I haven't been able to try the Uigeadail yet as it's not available where I live. I'm hoping to take a little jump over the border soon to see if I can find a bottle though.

@mrgargus...the Uigeadail is not currently available in Ontario, but for the price they charge up here for it (it seems to be brought in once a year for $160+!), it may as well not be - for most people - when it is available in Illinois/Michigan for around $75.

Wow, I'm surprised at all the Lagavulin love here. Those weak Diageo casks, the coloring, the filtration, the low ABV. Laga just isn't in the same league as Uigeadail in my opinion. Not even close.

@valuewhisky I can fully appreciate your feelings about Diageo, but I don't understand why you would consider the Uigeadail to be in a different class. May I ask what it is more specifically that you find lacking in the Lag 16?

Also generally speaking, recently I feel like the Uigeadail is getting way over-hyped. It IS a great whisky but for me, it certainly isn't the holy grail ; )

For me personally I prefer the Lagavulin 16...Just a bit more "refined", or "softer" on my palate that the Uigeadail.

@CanadianNinja I did actually list the things I specifically find lacking - weak casks, weak ABV, overfiltration. Those might just be dogma to some people, but they're real to me. I got started on whisky with bourbon and as such, I've never been able to develop a taste for weak spirits. There's seldom anything I can really endorse that's under 45% ABV (especially when highly filtered) - the flavor "pop" you get from high ABV is just part of the experience to me. And also with Diageo's casks - that's very real to me too. Go taste a bunch of Diageo whiskies and you will see they all share a similar flavor profile that comes from the casks. To me, this flavor tastes somewhat "stale" and lacks a liveliness or freshness that I find in whisky matured in first-fill oak. I am against Diageo on principle, but if their whisky was actually enjoyable I'd probably still buy it. The fact that I do NOT really enjoy the flavor profile in Diageo-cask whiskies is what makes me not buy them.

Anyway, as for Uigeadail, I don't necessarily find it in a class above other well-prepared whiskies, just above Diageo ones. I do think the combo of peat and sherry is the best flavor profile in whisky, and as such, that sets it further above, along with the flavor explosion you get from the high ABV. Contrary to what was stated above, Lagavulin isn't even matured in sherry casks - just in the standard Diageo refurbished cask.

Hope this clarifies things? Yes I bash Diageo, but it's not just me trying to be snotty - I simply don't like the flavor profile they all share, and they're all too weak from low ABV and filtration. The added colorant is probably more a dislike on principle rather than an actual effect on the whisky.

Before I was born, when my home town still had three baseball teams, a popular discussion was over who the best local center-fielder was. "Mickey, Willie or The Duke?" Duke Snider was clearly third best, so the discussion often turned to Mickey versus Willie.

I appreciate the Lagavulin for its fantastic integration of flavors. The complexity is clear, but it doesn't shout at you.

The Uigeadail, by contrast, is extroverted. The complexity is in your face. More exciting. So I usually like the Uigeadail better.

Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle? Imagine an outfield with both. That never happened, but you don't have to imagine a liquor cabinet with both the Uigeadail and Lagavulin 16. I vote for both.

@teebone673: +1 Lagavulin 12yo. Cask. Very hard to find here, especially off-line. Staying 'on topic' I would say buy both and make up your own mind: Revisit both in 12mths. and see what's what!

Cheers.

@Russ...as a baseball fan, I love the analogy. For someone who only knows them from a historical perspective, and based on your description of the whiskies, I would see Mays as Lagavulin 16, and Mantle as Uigeadail. I do fear though, that "Mays" is currently on a downward trajectory in its career.

I'll throw a wrench in it. I love both Ugi and Laga and rate them at 93, but yesterday I tried the Ardbeg Supernova and rate it 94. I love the Smoke and richness. Maybe it's the 60.1 ABV. But that's my take. And the Laga I'm referring to is the D.E.

I'll second that @Pudge72! Loved the baseball analogy @Russ!

@Maltmark I haven't yet tried the Ardbeg Supernova. Actually, the Ardbegs I've had are the 10 yo and Uigeadail. I am definitely open to trying more except that the SAQ in Quebec only carry those two. I am dying to try Corryvreckan, but haven't seen it anywhere nearby. I am very fortunate that my friend was able to get his hands on a couple of bottles of Ardbog. Hopefully he will be willing to share a dram or two!