Lagavulin 16-year-old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Is this whisky overrated and overhyped? Definitely not! Lagavulin 16 is an outstanding Islay single malt and a cornerstone of Scotch whisky culture. Intense peat smoke with hints of iodine and seaweed dominates the nose, merging with soft and yet substantial sherry cask sweetness. On the palate, it tastes full-bodied, peppery and deliciously sweet with dried fruits and an overwhelming blast of dry peatiness. The finish is prolonged, warming and spicy. A superb malt that would be even better with 46% ABV, no chill filtering and natural color. RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]

Sherry peat, caramel, basil, coriander, celery, minerals, cooking smoke, stove ash, green apple; low in alcohol but rich in layers, sweet and delicious with a long finish.

H2H- Lagavulin through the ages - as usual logic would dictate that the older ones would be better, but will that be the case? I already did a head to head of the 21, 25 and 30 and found the 25 to be better than most other people and between the 3 not that much in it so it will be interested to taste again. Lagavulin 16 is favourite of many on here for a go to islay dram and once price has been taken into account I  can gauge the best value and I suspect the 16 will do well here. Mid 1960`s to present 37 year, all official bottlings Drams https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/100508/lagavulin-guaranteed-pure-malt-pot-still https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/51469/lagavulin-16-year-old  https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/75648/lagavulin-islay-jazz-festival-2015  https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/35109/lagavulin-1991   https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/613/lagavulin-1985  https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/12/lagavulin-25-year-old  https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/10/lagavulin-30-year-old  https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/44217/lagavulin-37-year-old In theory the nose and palate should all have similarities so I will knock a few out from the start, tasting 8 heavy peaters is a lot for  my palate.   Nose The first to be discounted was the Jaz festival2015 and the 30 year but that might be because they were more delicate. next was the 21 year 1991 then the 37 year which left the NAS 1960`s, 16 year, 21 year 1985 and the 25 year. A difficult decision 1 - 21 year 1985 2 - Pure Pot Still 60`s 3 - 37 year 4 - 16 year 5 - 25 year 6 - 30 year 7 - 21 year 1991 8 - 2015 Jazz festival Palate 1st tasting (tentative) 1 - 21 year 1985 2= - 21 year 1991 2= - 37 year 4 -2015 Jazz festival 5 - 25 year 6  - 30 year 7 - Pure Pot Still Nas 8 - 16 year 2nd tasting 1 -1985 21 year 2 - 1991 21year 3 - 37 year 4 - 25 year 5 - Jazz festival 2015 6 - 30 year 7 - 16 year 8 - Nas pure pot still (been open a while) After 2 tastings my top 3 were the same with the 25 year moving to 4th the Nas was bottom with the 16 year just beating it. The 30 year was a little delicate in this company. The big question is and the one that should give us all hope is that there was little in the first 6 placings and the 16 year was not far behind but the exta years maturation told. If You took price into consideration then the 16 year can hold its head up high.

Even if you're not keen on Islay whiskies this one is well worth trying.

quality dram.

Affordable quallity would be an understatement, it is an amazing bargain. Even those that don't like it should buy one, in case they get a visit from one of us that do! Then we wouldn't drink what you concider your "good stuff". Try it with a spicy chocolate!