Brennerei | Lagavulin |
Abfüller | OB |
Serie | Feis Ile 2016 |
Abgefüllt für | Feis Ile 2016 |
Destillationsdatum | Not Specified |
Abfülldatum | 2016 |
Land | Schottland |
Region | Islay |
Alter | 18 |
Cask Type | American Oak and ex Bodega European Oak casks |
Fassnummer | X |
Alcohol percentage | 49.5 |
Inhalt | 0,70 |
Zustand | in Originalverpackung |
Label | Perfekt |
Vorrat | 0 |
Inhalt | 0,70 |
Zustand | in Originalverpackung |
Label | Perfekt |
Vorrat | 0 |
Matured in refill hogsheads and European oak bodega sherry butts. Our friend Angus already tried it for WF while on the island, now it is our turn. I shall not re-read Angus’ tasting note, to avoid any form of influence. Colour: gold. Nose: aww… Verbena? Yellow chartreuse? Citron liqueur? It’s very complex, much less ‘in your face’ than other newish bottlings, with a wine quality to it, Montrachet style. Limestone, flints, new fabric, carbon paper (not sure that rings a bell to the younger part of our distinguished audience), barnyard, smoked salmon, homemade custard… Then rather whelks-and-brown-bread-and-butter, this raw wool that I’m often finding in Lagavulin… And some fresh mint! I’m surprised. Positively surprised. Mouth: oh get out of here! Brilliant citrusy, mentholated, smoky, and coastal style, with something that reminds me of a very old Lagavulin NAS spring cap that we opened around ten years ago in Belgium. Gets then more peppery, grassy, gritty, and wild. Finish: extremely long, peppery and smoky, the beauty turned into a beast. A lot of green tea and lime in the aftertaste. And more green pepper in the after-aftertaste! Comments: brilliant. For the new 25, it’s going to be very hard, but as Corneille said, “À vaincre sans péril, on triomphe sans gloire.” Right, “To win without risk is to triumph without glory”
Whiskynotes:
Nose: elegant and fresh. Gentle smoky notes, with fresh eucalyptus and a light sea breeze. Lemony notes, oranges and apple blossom. Big mineral notes as well: seaweed, oysters, wet sheep and light medicinal touches (iodine, camphor, bandages). Just enough almond sweetness in the background. More mature and restrained than a 16yo. Really good. Mouth: same menthol / eucalyptus freshness, which blend nicely into medicinal and sweet grassy notes. Hints of yeast. Mid-palate there is some oak prickle, an orangey note and soot. Olive brine. A tad more powerful than the nose suggested – crescendo style. Finish: long and pure, mostly on lemons and peat. Liquorice as well.
Exactly what we’d expect from Lagavulin. Slightly restrained this year, but confident at the same time, with the American oak in the foreground. The Feis Ile 2014 is still my favourite. Nonetheless a hell of a whisky worth visiting the distillery for.