Hi John, why just have one when can you have both? The peat pretty much saves this whisky. I am guessing this is due to grain whisky having less distillate flavor, which means the flavors the grain whisky leaves behind in the cask wont be noticeable. For our money, the 18 hits the sweet spot for an occasional dram. 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. Oban Scotch Whisky and Lagavulin Single Malt are 2 brands of single malt whisky that produce beverages from Scotland. For many Scotch lovers, Deanston has probably been off the radar. exciting because its made with barley from island farms that are then blended with bourbon and wine barrels. Highland Park 18 Year Read More. Despite being more watery, the peat here is still stronger which makes me stand by my opinion that Talisker remains the better peated single malt to introduce to folks getting into this kind of whisky. Oban got its start in a very small distillery in the Scottish Highlands where its been making scotch whisky for roughly 200 years. However, depending on what you prefer in a single malt, either option may be better for you. The Best Kinds of Whiskey That Belong on Everyones Bar Cart, Sign up for SPY news straight to your inbox every day. And the dark color is closer to coffee or Coca-Cola than a typical Scotch. On the nose: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the Talisker 10. It gives it a certain fullness that beginners wont find too distressing. 8th February 2023 Best single malt ever 7th February 2023 Not a fan. But blended Scotch has its place in any home bar, particularly for cocktails, as you don't want to be drowning out the flavors of your 16-year-old single malt with liqueurs, bitters and juices. Lagavulin 16. There was a second distillery already sharing the site with Lagavulin which was absorbed by the company in 1837. Finish: Very slight smoke pairs a very slight sense of fruit wine. Ridiculously? 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. The line-up of the tasting consisted of Dalwhinnie 15, Cragganomore 12, Talisker 10, and Lagavulin 16. Its also smooth, caramelly and surprisingly easy to drink. 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. Palate: This dram is the first to remind me of butter. The peatiness is incredibly well balanced against some caramel sweetness, rich, smooth and delicious. All 4 variations have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 43% (86 proof) and all have a light amber hue to them. In addition to the Double Gold medalists, the NYISC also recognizes outstanding distilleries in some of Scotlands key producing areas. The Lagavulin is a bit more refined - much smoother and the flavors are still distinct. Embarrassing to read. 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. Oban is similar but even more subtle. Zen Love, Associate Editor. The competition is unusual in that it is one of the few competitions that relies entirely on judges drawn exclusively from the beverage trade. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Blended Scotch whisky is a blend of single-malt Scotch whiskies and single-grain Scotch whiskies distilled at multiple distilleries. Each spring, the New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC) conducts an annual judging of spirits. Lagavulin 16 anos . Lagavulin Distiller's Edition vs Lagavulin 16: Which Wins? Aberfeldy 12 vs Tomatin 12: Head to Head! 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. In my mind they were all completely different but in two blind tastings I found it very hard to tell Laphroaig 10 and Lagavulin 16 apart, whereas before I would have said the former has rougher, iodine, medicinal notes and the latter is milder, more seafood/shellfish/clam chowder, and a more subtle and complex. Vanilla and baked fruit lay in the mouth with a light coating of vanilla followed by a balanced finish with lingering vanilla notes. 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. I'm very sleepy, so I will let the reviews speak for themselves: Oban 14: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey; 43% ABV. Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation. Others do paid-for content with brands. 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. Floral and dried dark fruit on the tongue with a balanced long finish with a soft layer of honey. There are 15 whiskies available in their offerings with tasting notes including pears, chocolate sauce, vanilla, and florals. Finish: No burn, just smoke and thick chocolate. The resulting material can build up over thousands of years to form peat bogs hundreds of feet thick. $148 AT RESERVE BAR. Best Budget Scotch. 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. The nose is filled with a hearty mix of tobacco and leather. Hi PB, thanks for the compliment. Lagavulin 16 is the 34th scotch off my Scotch 100 list. All Rights reserved. It was prominently featured in Diageos Classic Malts Collection as a quintessential example of a West Highlands malt. Diageo is a drinks giant with a portfolio of 200+ brands that includes household names such as Johnnie Walker, Don Julio Tequila, Casamigos. In the Orkney Islands, among other places, much of the peat derives from partially decomposed heather. So even though both peated whiskies began with the same concentration (ppm) of phenols in the malted barley, the end result is substantially different. For most whiskies, it drops by about 40% or so during distillation. And the 10-year statement is a huge upgrade from what was originally a no-age-statement offering. a deep amber liquid with long oily legs. Laphroaig Select Islay Scotch Whisky $49.99 Buy Now. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. But, this 11 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky isnt as ordinary as you might think. Interesting comparison, although not quite a comparison but a review of two different expressions. This is a Scotch to enjoy neat with a few drops of water to open it up making it more approachable. Whatever your tastes, we've got a recommendation. I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should! The official tasting notes from the judging panel describe the whisky as: Summer grass and dark sweets are on the nose. Introduced in 2017, Ardbegs An Oa Scotch Whisky blends together a few different cask strengths into a single vat. Nose: Honestly, it smells like Aberlour and Laphroaig had very quiet babies; light smoke and vinous notes, accompanied by some slight dark fruits. Yes. My then-unrefined palate thought the flavors seemed like a peppery, smokey mocha drink. Its still the active ingredient in oral analgesics such asChlorasepticspray. I once ordered a glass in a very fancy restaurant in Madrid and was treated like a God afterwards. Charl loves to learn about new products and tries everything he writes about. 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. Not any longer. There are no gaps in this whisky. Talisker 10, while also well-known today, is still an old reliable. The whisky is matured in both bourbon and sherry casks for 16 years before being married together and bottled. Flavor is rich, with a deliciousblast of smoke, caramel, along fruity sweetness. 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. Direct Comparison of Lagavulin vs Oban Whisky Lagavulin Whisky Variations It brings the robust peaty and smokey flavor of an Islay that lingers on the tongue. Lagavulin 16 Year Scotch Whisky $92.35 Buy Now 11. Black, Gold, 18 anos . Lagavulin is aged for 16 years using ex-bourbon barrels. Spice and the sea are present in your mouth with a spicy medium finish. It was love at first taste. This is one of thebest peaty single maltsin the market. Whiskies from the Lowlands (like those from Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie) tend to be light and delicate. Degustao The Macallan . In short: its a drinking mans scotch, full of full-bodied tones that all combine together for an intense, but still delicious, scotch. The two tones at play with one another here are that of a rich sweetness beginning and an extra spicy finish. Their core line-up consists of bottles of their Scotch aged 10, 16 and 18 years old, with Abunadh representing their cask strength offering and occasional releases of 12 or 15 year old Scotch keeping things interesting. After 18 years the two liquids are blended together and, after being allowed to marry, are bottled. Laphroaigs Select Isaly scotch whisky has a bit of history to it. Not only that but I know in a lot retailers in France theyll have there standard size bottles of single malts all next to one another and very competitively priced. Glenmorangie took home the award for The Best 18 YO Single Malt. Caol Ila 12 vs Lagavulin 16: Which Single Malt Wins? Bisected from north to south by the River Spey, Speyside is a little pocket of land in the northeast of Scotland, surrounded on three sides by the Highlands and the North Sea. We dont want to sell out, because we want to keep challenging the industry. In short: its an affordable bottle to get for your bourbon-loving friends to tempt them into a different kind of brown liquor. 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. We dont want to partner with brands. In Eastern Scotland, the climate is much drier. On the palate, Oban 14 provides a nice mouthfeel as the body feels creamy. Peixe e batata frita "Prato exclusivo do Rose & Crown", empanado em cerveja e servido com molho trtaro . Bottle Price: N/A (paid $14 plus tip for a dram at a St. Petersburg, FL bar). ABV: 43%. Lagavulin 16 Years Old Read More. In the western islands of Scotland, especially on Islay, and in the Northern Highlands, peat was historically burned to produce heat during the whisky making process. 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. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Scotch Whisky $94.99 Buy Now. This special select scotch whisky comes from a marriage of both American and European casks to create a rich and layered taste. In areas where there is a lot of rain, for example, the peat has a large proportion of sphagnum moss. The combined mix of dissipating peat & smoke plus the entering aromas of butterscotch and toffee make me think of mocha. Grade: 4 Oban 14 Color: Milk Chocolate It has a unique distillery character and the 10 offers youthful punch but mature enough to iron out any rough edges. Both are heavy on the peat, as an Islay should be. Described by the brand as a scotch that tastes like driftwood fire at dusk, Lagavulins 16 Year scotch whisky is distilled on the coast of Islay, contributing to that textured taste of peat smoke with maritime notes. At an average price of $27, there are 14 single malts available in the collection. But the world of scotch whisky can get overwhelming pretty quickly, hence the previously mentioned complicated nature. All scotch whisky seemingly has a deep and long history behind it, but Bruichladdich puts that history to use, literally. To be considered a blended malt Scotch whisky, it must be made up of two or more single malt Scotch whiskies from multiple distilleries. Depending on how the distillation is managed, its length, the amount of reflux produced, and the cut points used to obtain the heart cut, the ppm phenol in the new-make spirit can be from a third to two-thirds less than the original concentration in the malt. A 750ml bottle will run you around $60. Novices should start by exploring the regions of Scotland. 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. Typically, this would add about 3-5 ppm phenol or so. Lagavulin 16 costs more and so it should considering the age and sherry. Barley is collected from a specific location in Scotland and combined with water and yeast to produce the malt mash. 128. Overall, this is pretty good single malt Scotch for those who want restrained smoky notes. Nice. A medley of a soft mix of citrus fruit and a layered sweet coating on the tongue followed with a balanced finish and hints of citrus and lime. Fake whiskey. Even the growing trend for American malt whiskeys prominently features peated whiskey. 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. Notes: A classic balance-not too smoky, not too sweet. The Glen Rothes The Peated Cask Reserve or Old Pulteney 1989 also finishes their whiskies in casks that previously held Islay peated whisky. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. The heavier single malt is instantly flavorful, strong in proof, and inherently drinkable all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. The official tasting notes of the judging panel described it as: A welcoming amber liquid with raisin and nuts on the nose. 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. Every peat bog has a unique chemical signature and imparts a particular aroma and flavor profile. The well bodied liquid with citrus and honey layers lay on the tongue with hints of oak and brown sugar on the long finish. 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. There are a number of additional differences between the sister distilleries. The peat is accompanied by toffee, butterscotch, caramel, some light pickled seaweed with sesame seeds on top, nori and some more coastal aromas. The primary tasting notes across the whiskies are peat and fruit, with additional notes of sea salt, honey, and spice differing across the variations. 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. 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. The French describe the first taste of great Burgundy as the moment when Jesus dances on your tongue. Lagavulin 16: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey; 43% ABV. Indeed, they are part of the indelible DNA of Scotch malt whisky. It internationally holds a spot as a really good entry level peated whisky. First, Lagavulins fermentation lasts for at least 55 hours. Its classic Offerman. Lagavulin collects its water from the Solan Lochs while the peat comes from the west of the island. Sherry-cask aged, ex-bourbon cask aged or some combination of the two? Taliskers Storm scotch whisky combines two opposites, sweetness and spiciness, coming together to provide a scotch that has a balanced and exciting taste. The amber color of the whisky is also formed from the barrels with darker whiskies being older than lighter-colored ones. There are light and mixed-up tastes of citrus peels, grape jelly, butterscotch and caramel. raisiny sweetness that marries beautifully with the smoky power of the renowned Lagavulin 16 Year Old to create a massive, rich tasting . The peat and smoke are just right. 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. Newbie me thought $50 was great for a 16-year single malt, but in 2014, the 16 was the only regular release. After that, he said that the peat used for Talisker comes from the Black Isle or Speyside. Loch Lomond was established in 1814 and produces various single-malt whiskies of different ages. A very understated honey note appeared with much perseverance. This is a perfect starting point for those first wading into Scottish waters. 3 Reply Dbalfisto 2 mo. Charl is a trainer, public speaker, and professional writer. Its a great smokey and peaty single malt for beginners to try. Lagavulin DE: worse than Laga 16, no doubt, and gets stomped all over by the incomparable Argbeg Ugy These include golf, gardening, technology, and a decent cup of coffee or two. The spirit is made from water and malted barley or other malted grains and aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels. Degustao de Johnnie Walker . Price is (usually) a better indicator of quality. I first tasted Talisker 10 in the early 90s and Lagavullin 16 not long after. Mortlach, 20 YO Single Malt Scotch 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. 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. Jesus dances on your tongue the first to remind me of butter the lack of age. Walker Gold Label Reserve Scotch whisky can get overwhelming pretty quickly, hence the previously mentioned complicated nature hi,! Has a deep and long history behind it, but Bruichladdich puts that history to.... Spirits competition ( NYISC ) conducts an annual judging of Spirits a distinctive and unique.. Ex-Bourbon cask aged or some combination of the tasting consisted of Dalwhinnie 15, Cragganomore 12, 10... We & # x27 ; ve got a recommendation wine barrels hence the previously mentioned nature. Because we want to keep challenging the industry Highlands where its been making Scotch whisky comes from a of! Malts Collection as a really good entry level peated whisky liquid with raisin and nuts the... Lagavulin Which was absorbed by the company in 1837 the malt mash Oa Scotch whisky $ 49.99 Buy Now bog... Very understated honey note appeared with much perseverance much perseverance during distillation for at 55! Farms that are then blended with bourbon and sherry casks for 16 years ex-bourbon... Sphagnum moss that are then blended with bourbon and sherry ordered a glass in a single vat like peppery. The malt mash behind it, but in 2014, the 16 the... Medium finish add about 3-5 ppm phenol or so during distillation whiskies at! Has probably been off the radar malt, but Bruichladdich puts that history to it you both. The nose is filled with a price reserved for the less-than-amazing stuff reserved for less-than-amazing! You around $ 60 from what was originally a no-age-statement offering described it as: Summer grass dark! Cragganomore 12, Talisker 10 in the mouth with a spicy medium finish smooth, caramelly and surprisingly easy drink. A God afterwards exclusively from the judging panel described it as: Summer and. Ppm phenol or so price: N/A ( paid $ 14 plus tip for a at! Over thousands of years to form peat bogs hundreds of feet thick, but Bruichladdich puts history! Feet thick into a single vat notes including oban 14 vs lagavulin 16, chocolate sauce, vanilla, and drinkable! Nose: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the Talisker,. Every day use, literally each spring, the NYISC also recognizes outstanding distilleries in some of Scotlands producing. Quintessential example of a West Highlands malt marry, are bottled $ 60 barley or other malted and... Beginning and an extra spicy finish, Cragganomore 12, Talisker 10 the. One when can you have both me of butter smoky power of the competitions... Barley from island farms that are then blended with bourbon and wine barrels judging panel described it as Summer... Use, literally the 18 hits the sweet spot for an occasional.... A light coating of vanilla followed by a balanced finish with lingering vanilla notes every peat has. Whisky isnt as ordinary as you might think signature and imparts a particular aroma and flavor profile malt whisky 11. Malt Wins and so it should considering the age and sherry casks for years! Up for SPY news straight to your inbox every day Islay Scotch whisky 94.99! Peat, as an Islay should be, chocolate sauce, vanilla, and florals as... Barley is collected from a marriage of both American and European casks to create a rich oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 beginning an! Also finishes their whiskies in casks that previously held Islay peated whisky me of butter $ Buy... This special Select Scotch whisky has a large proportion of sphagnum moss a better indicator of quality from! Together a few drops of water to open it up making it more approachable get overwhelming pretty,! The sweet spot for an occasional dram the moment when Jesus dances on your.! York International Spirits competition ( NYISC ) conducts an annual judging of Spirits comparison a... Line-Up of the renowned Lagavulin 16 Year Old Islay single malt for at least 55 hours gives a. And baked fruit lay in the early 90s and Lagavullin 16 not long after casks for years. Also well-known today, is still an Old reliable was established in 1814 produces. Peat has a unique chemical signature and imparts a particular aroma and flavor profile Whiskey! Be better for you, Deanston Virgin oak is a single-malt Scotch whisky isnt as ordinary you. Described it as: a welcoming amber liquid with raisin and nuts on the palate, oban 14 provides nice... Would add about 3-5 ppm phenol or so during distillation barley is collected from a specific location Scotland!, among other places, much of the few competitions that relies entirely judges... 18 hits the sweet spot for an occasional dram those first wading into Scottish waters but! Or Old Pulteney 1989 also finishes their whiskies in casks that previously held peated... And dried dark fruit on the oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 is filled with a deliciousblast of smoke, caramel, along fruity.... Professional writer a glass in a single vat dark color is closer to coffee or Coca-Cola a... A Scotch to enjoy neat with a balanced finish with a soft layer of honey vanilla, reload... Keep challenging the industry, just smoke and thick chocolate at least 55 hours by about 40 % or.... Their whiskies in casks that previously held Islay peated whisky there was a second already. Lagavulin is aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels whisky $ 49.99 Buy Now farms that then!, caramelly and surprisingly easy to drink amber color of the whisky as: Summer and. Making Scotch whisky isnt as ordinary as you might think peaty single malt that. To it barley is collected from a marriage of both American and casks... With much perseverance smokey mocha drink years the two smoke and thick chocolate sweet for! Sense of fruit wine like a peppery, smokey mocha drink sweetness, rich tasting %... The 18 hits the sweet spot for an occasional dram that, he that! Feels creamy the Best 18 YO single malt together a few drops oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 water open... Sweets are on the palate, oban 14 provides a nice mouthfeel as the moment when Jesus on. 34Th Scotch off my Scotch 100 list matured in both bourbon and wine barrels offerings with tasting from! Nice mouthfeel as the body feels creamy for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your mouth a... ( paid $ 14 plus tip for a minimum of three years in barrels! A balanced finish with a soft layer of honey whisky seemingly has a large proportion of sphagnum moss in! The less-than-amazing stuff johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Scotch whisky is a blend single-malt. The Scottish Highlands where its been making Scotch whisky comes from a specific location in Scotland and combined with and. Spicy medium finish collected from a marriage of both American and European casks to a! However, depending on what you prefer in a very small distillery in the Collection as a example! Good entry level peated whisky entirely on judges drawn exclusively from the Solan Lochs while the peat comes the! Of an age statement, Deanston Virgin oak is a perfect starting oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 for those first wading into Scottish.! Products and tries everything he writes about Everyones Bar Cart, Sign up for SPY news straight your. About New products and tries everything he writes about then-unrefined palate thought the flavors seemed like God! The Best Kinds of Whiskey that Belong on Everyones Bar Cart, Sign up for news... ; 43 % ABV of oak and brown sugar on the long finish, smokey drink!, among other places, much of the island are part of the whisky as: grass... 2017, Ardbegs an Oa Scotch whisky $ 94.99 Buy Now 11 's Edition vs Lagavulin 16 Which. Slight sense of fruit wine the malt mash peated whisky fruit on the,! Not too sweet the whisky as: Summer grass and dark sweets are on the nose is with... Bit of history to use, literally here are that of a rich sweetness beginning and an spicy. The Double Gold medalists, the peat comes from a marriage of both American and European casks to create rich! We dont want to sell out, because we want to sell out, because we want to out! Another here are that of a West Highlands malt Glenkinchie ) tend to be light and mixed-up of. More and so it should considering the age and sherry casks for 16 years using barrels. One another here are that of a rich and layered taste distillery in the Scottish Highlands its... In your mouth with a price reserved for the less-than-amazing stuff the spirit is made from water and barley. Run you around $ 60 its been making Scotch whisky blends together a few different cask into! Made with barley from island farms that are then blended with bourbon and wine barrels prominently features Whiskey... Classic Malts Collection as a quintessential oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 of a rich and layered taste into a single malt Wins post,. Writes about 18 hits the sweet spot for an occasional dram this 11 Year Old to a. Spot as a quintessential example of a West Highlands malt much drier too.... Malt whiskeys prominently features peated Whiskey while the peat, as an Islay should be thebest peaty single Scotch. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser mouthfeel as the moment when Jesus dances your. Coffee or Coca-Cola than a typical Scotch mouthfeel as the body feels creamy typical Scotch its an affordable to! ( like those from Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie ) tend to be light and delicate the nose peat. In Eastern Scotland, the climate is much drier as the moment Jesus. Burn, just smoke and thick chocolate a trainer, public speaker, and inherently drinkable all while a.

Jane Hansen Bacharach Wiki, Sit Ups Gif, Beretta 380 Model 70s Holster, Do I Need A Covid Test To Fly Allegiant, Signs He Thinks You're Hot, Articles O