Zen Love, Associate Editor. The Controversy Explained, Love Buffalo Trace Bourbon? All of these whiskies, with the exception of Insurrection, are well known, relatively easy to find and reasonably affordable. It was only a few years later that the town was named Oban after the distillery. Keeping track of those we liked, those we didn't and those we really loved, we've come up with 22 bottles of Scotch to recommend across a wide range of price points. Oban is one of the few urban distilleries left in Scotland. Ardbeg is a brand of Scottish single malt that is situated a short distance from Lagavulin. Uigeadail is a double matured Islay whisky, which according to the company, marries Ardbeg's traditional deep, smoky notes with luscious, raisiny tones of old ex-Sherry casks. The combination of Islays traditional smoky whisky and the sweet dried fruit notes obtained from sweet wine casks has always been a winning formula on Islay, and has been replicated in dozens of expressions. There are a few facts worth knowing about this whisky: Prices are approximate and stated in USD: Both are extremely good but you need to assess the type of consumer you are to make the right choice. The vapor is collected and cooled down to create the final whisky solution. 38.95 from The Whisky Exchange. Hi PB, thanks for the compliment. Bottle Price: N/A (paid $14 plus tip for a dram at a St. Petersburg, FL bar). Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation. Islay is a small island thats believed to have played a major role in distilling crossing the sea from Ireland to Scotland in the 13th century. These are the best bottles of Scotch whisky you can buy. For example, it must be made in Scotland and oak barrel-aged for at least three years. Earned a Gold Medal at the 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition. Speyside, to the east, with distilleries like The Macallan or The Balvenie, is known for whiskies with a delicate richness that doesnt rely on peat so, expect a lot of sherry and rum casks for aging. In areas where there is a lot of rain, for example, the peat has a large proportion of sphagnum moss. The official tasting notes of the judging panel describe the Lagavulin 16 YO as. We encourage responsible drinking and nothing on this website should be considered professional or medical advice. Lagavulin 16 Year Old Reviews Brilliant. Oban 14 going up +92%. Each bottle is distilled on the coast of Skye in Scotland which helps bring more intensity to each sip. Best Splurge Scotch. Oban Whisky distillery was established in 1794 by John and Huh Stevenson and was named before the town in which it was situated. If you maintain a whisky bar all are must have expressions. The Macallan and Mortlach, for example, both had an element of peated whisky once, although they dont today. Scotch can only be called "Scotch" when it's made in Scotland in the same way that wine can only be called "Champagne" when made in the area of the same name. Hi John, why just have one when can you have both? This will cause the liquid to slowly trickle down the sides of the glass with older whiskies moving slower than older whiskies. Its a great option for people who think they dont like single-malt Scotch. The Oban Core Range at the Oban Distillery. If you can, try to match the tasting notes with the aromas and ingredients you recognized earlier. Lagavulin Distiller's Edition vs Lagavulin 16: Which Wins? 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. Bottled at 61.5% ABV, this is reminiscent of what Glenlivet would have tasted in the early 19th century. Highland Park Distillery is based on the largest of the wild, peat-filled islands off of the northern tip of Scotland. You asked! Both have a medicinal quality on the nose. Every peat bog has a unique chemical signature and imparts a particular aroma and flavor profile. Whiskies from the Lowlands (like those from Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie) tend to be light and delicate. Best Budget Scotch. Degustao de Johnnie Walker . According to the official tasting note submitted by the judging panel, the whisky exhibits: Whiffs of tobacco and dark chocolate and berries are found in the nose. ago yours is an open factual report. Tasted like wet cigarette ash Lagavulin has an oilier, fresher quality, while Laphroaig seems drier. Oban 14 has a very pleasant smoky taste that doesnt overwhelm other notes making it a good choice for those who want smoke in moderation when compared to Smoky Islay Malts that offer blasts of smoke. Lagavulin 16 is a great malt with astrong but still enjoyable peaty profilewith delicious sweetness. 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. The amber color of the whisky is also formed from the barrels with darker whiskies being older than lighter-colored ones. Both whiskies are from Western Scotland. A couple of years ago I bought a travel retail, 1 litre, bottle that was way below par and it put me off for quite a while but the last bottles Ive had a perfectly fine. Lagavulin 16 Years Old Read More. Octomore. Lately, the consumers interest in peated whiskies have led distillers to list the ppm phenol in the malt on their whisky bottle. Within their scotch whisky range is over 100 brands, with their total reach being across 180 countries. A well-balanced Highlands Scotch with a light sweetness and smoke in the nose. We may earn a commission on items bought through our links. Its difficult not to love it, but as a luxury Scotch bottle, it isnt designed to challenge you, but rather to open the door for anyone to enjoy what 18 years can do to transform whisky. That said, I think that sherried Islays are my thing; this tastes really awesome. Hi WT, i just went along with the line up of the Diageo tasting. Glenkinchie, Oban, Lagavulin . During the aging process, the flavors captured in the wood are infused into the single malt giving it more depth. Personally, I love the Uigeadail more, but not by much. Ardbeg was chosen as the Islay Distillery of the Year; Glenkinchie was picked the Lowland Distillery of the year and Glen Moray, received the Speyside honors as Cask Finish Distillery of the Year. The longer fermentation makes Caol Ilas whisky much fruitier. The competition, as the name suggests, has a strong New York focus. Lagavulin, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $109 took the award for Best 16 YO Single Malt from Islay. (16 year-old Lagavulin is around $65). Today, you can find peated malt whisky from Ireland to Australia. It brings the robust peaty and smokey flavor of an Islay that lingers on the tongue. This simplicity lends the region to provide the base to many blends, though a few distilleries have been kicking out some peated options recently. Ill be reviewing them in the coming weeks. These barrels will infuse the whisky with an amber color and tasting notes from the bourbon. Thankfully. Scotch whisky is produced in one of the five areas in Scotland. This means that Oban came first by approximately 22 years. And the 10-year statement is a huge upgrade from what was originally a no-age-statement offering. Its a great whisky. If youre looking for more fruitiness than spice, another fantastic Ardbeg is Uigeadail, which substitutes virgin French Limousin oak for ex-Sherry casks. Great article-These are the staples and benchmark of good Islay single malts. 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. It is seen as an elite type of whisky with older variations generally costing more than younger ones due to the extensive distillation process. Finish: No burn, just smoke and thick chocolate. For comparison, these peating levels are about 20 times greater than the typical Speyside Scotch malt whisky (2-3 ppm), but they are a tenth of the peating levels found in the malt for peat bombs like Octomore (350 ppm). Its buttery, with a surface sweetness, and a range of spicy notes that gives it plenty of depth. It combines a prominent smoky peat note, with fresh fruit, cooked cereal notes and a tangy salty note. I end up taking them for granted, which allows me to spend time and money on other spirits. Lagavulins malted barley has 35 parts per million phenols. Bruichladdich is a smaller Islay-based distillery, which allows them to take bigger risks than some of the more well-established brands on this list. At an average price of $27, there are 14 single malts available in the collection. In short: its a drinking mans scotch, full of full-bodied tones that all combine together for an intense, but still delicious, scotch. Not any longer. single malt is made in a multi-step process, Johnnie Walker Price, Sizes & Buying Guide, Legal Alcohol Limit By State What You Need to Know, Non Alcoholic Beer Laws By State What You Need to Know, Smoked peat, sweet notes, sea salt, mahogany, Smoke, marmalade, pear cider, toffee apples, Light gold to deep amber depending on the variation, Lagavulin 11-Year-Old Offerman Edition Single Malt, Lagavulin 7-Year-Old Islay Jazz Festival 2022 Single Malt, Lagavulin 12-Year-Old Special Release 2022 Single Malt, Lagavulin 12-Year-Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt, Lagavulin 26-Year-Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt. After those are slightly lighter aromas of butterscotch, nori, rocks wet with sea water, dried apricots, orange peels, orange jelly and dehydrated lemon peels. In general, expect Campbeltown whisky to be dry and pungent, with a peatiness thats less smokey and meaty, like that found in Islay, and more earthy decay and fantastic funk. I dont think Ive ever tasted a bad Talisker or Lagavulin (and I drink them both frequently). Its home to the highest number of distilleries in Scotland, with well over 60 at present, including Glenfiddich, the worlds best-selling single malt Scotch. Thats among the lowest cut points in the industry. Overall, this is pretty good single malt Scotch for those who want restrained smoky notes. It internationally holds a spot as a really good entry level peated whisky. But we could do with your support each month think of it as buying us a dram. The tartness makes me think of biting into black grapes with skins still on them. Vital Stats: 86 proof, 14 years old, single malt. From Eastern Scotland try the Glendronach peated expression or, if you can find it, The Macallan Rare Cask Black Edition. 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. Therefore Im a bit suprised by the comparison. This practice can even occur on an industrial scale. In general, bottles coming from Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the smokiest. There are a number of additional differences between the sister distilleries. Highland Park 18 vs Lagavulin 16: Which Single Malt Wins? The higher cut points and the greater reflux make it lighter and results in less phenolic compounds in the 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. The award for the Best 20 YO Single Malt went to another legendary Scotch whisky: Mortlach, 20 YO, 43.4% ABV, 750 ml, $250. (150 per litre) Lagavulin 2008 12 Year Old Special Releases 2021. Ive irregularly returned to this and enjoyed other variants since then. GlenAllachie, 15 YO, 46% ABV, 750 ml, $95 took similar honors as the Best Single Malt from Speyside. Those who love a unique blend of tastes in their scotch will be extremely taken with GlenDronachs Single Malt 12-Year Scotch Whisky. One portion is a single farm grown barley from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate. There are 10 variations included in their collection, including a younger, 5-year-old whisky to a 25-year-old variation. There were also several single malts singled out for exceptional quality. Sometimes the familiar is the hardest to appreciate. . But I found it offered a more balanced and sweeter note after sitting out and aerating for a bit, so take that for what it's worth. Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Which is better? Given that both brands are owned by Diageo and produce single malt whisky, these are easy to compare which we will be doing going forward. a deep amber liquid with long oily legs. As noted above, Talisker also received a Double Gold medal for its 10 YO expression. This is a nice and easy sip that you can drink either neat or adding a dash of water bringing additional sweetness and more oak, although I like it as is. Look at the Lagavulin Distillers Edition or the Laphroaig PX Cask. The complexity is lost a bit in the mouth, but its still full. If you want to get technical, they consist of one or more hydroxyl groups (OH) bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon phenyl (C6H5) ring. The peatiness is incredibly well balanced against some caramel sweetness, rich, smooth and delicious. I dont like that theyre massive and tend to focus on efficiency. The phenolic compounds that give peated whiskies their pronounced medicinal character are concentrated in the cell walls of the moss. 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. You can add a small splash of water to the whisky if you would like but it is recommended that you do not add ice to your single malt. In those parts of the world where there is an absence of trees, peat has often been utilized as a source of heat. Its seaside maturation imparts a slightly maritime savoriness. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. Both Lagavulin and Oban have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 43% (86 proof). A very understated honey note appeared with much perseverance. (182.86 per litre) A magnificent whisky. . In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Nose: Reminds me of when I tried scotch for the first time in a whileall I got was wood and solvents. For many Scotch lovers, Deanston has probably been off the radar. It also gives out awards for best single malts across several age categories and awards medals to the top entrants. It finishes with a warming note, making a great closer to an evening of drinking. Lagavulinis peated to 35 PPM at the famed Port Ellen maltings using peat from Islay's Castlehill Peat Bog. The 12+ Best Smart Home Devices Under $50, The Hamilton Khaki Field Murph Watch, Tested, Complete Guide to Buying Boots This Season, Best Scotch from an Independent Distillery, Best Scotch from a Family-Owned Distillery, Tasting WhistlePig's New 21-Year-Old Single Malt, The Best New Whiskey Releases of 2023 (So Far), You've Never Heard of 2022's Most-Awarded Whiskey, Psst, Pappy Van Winkle Is Doubling Production, How to Build Your Own Bottle of Whiskey Online, Is Fireball Whiskey? For serious Scotch drinkers, the conversation typically begins and ends with single-malt varieties, with many often turning their noses up at blended Scotch. Some of the names above will grow less attractive as you progress through more Scotch, but Diageo has some great single malts. I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should! Its well worth grabbing a bottle when they hit shelves. Take the examples of Lagavulin and Caol Ila. This is a Scotch to enjoy neat with a few drops of water to open it up making it more approachable. Core Offering: Oban 14 Year Old. Oban is offered in a 14 year version and a pricier 18 year Distillers Edition that was first released in 1998. Most of their whiskies have higher alcohol contents with the maximum being 57,3% (114,6 proof). But in 1998, after changing hands to Diageo, the brand was selected to represent the Lowlands and the 12 year old expression hit shelves. ), 45.8% ABV. The actual menu of the The Keg Steakhouse + Bar. But for those of us who want a bit more sherry sweetness, from the finishing months spent in Amoroso casks, this is a must. Oban Little Bay Small Cask Scotch Whisky $71.99 Buy Now. Diageo does these, classic malts of Scotland, box sets. All Rights reserved. I came to this through my father's bottles, which were typically a collection of things that supermarkets sold on discount on occasion: Glenmorangie Laphroaig, Talisker, and Penderyn. To be considered a blended malt Scotch whisky, it must be made up of two or more single malt Scotch whiskies from multiple distilleries. The color of the whisky is a rich amber. Thats one reason why its medicinal notes, while pronounced, seem drier, less intense, even though it starts at a higher peating level than Lagavulin. Palate: This dram is the first to remind me of butter. Mortlach, 20 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky. An unpeated scotch, there are strong floral tasting notes, while still remaining dense and complex with each sip. While Bruichladdichs main lineup consists of unpeated Scotches, Port Charlotte is aggressively peated in a way that stinks up the room when you pour a dram. Oban ages for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels. I love the nose on this. Indeed, its reputation notwithstanding, the phenols in an ultra-aged Lagavulin, think 25 to 30 years, can be quite subtle and are much better integrated then the phenolic blast you get from a young Lagavulin. The official tasting notes of the judging panel described it as: A welcoming amber liquid with raisin and nuts on the nose. The distillery, among the best known in the world, is one of the oldest distilleries on Islay, although its history of distillation activity reaches much further back than its official start date. 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. Aberfeldy 12 vs Glenmorangie 10: Head to Head! With tasting notes of vanilla, peach, mango, nutmeg and gingerbread, Johnnie Walker Gold has a rich taste thats both warm and gentle, a veritable contradiction between fruit and smoke. The result is a thick, creamy and fruity single malt whisky. Than some of the names above will grow less attractive as you progress through more Scotch, but still! Also formed from the Lowlands ( like those from Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie tend! Special Releases 2021 of these whiskies, with fresh fruit, cooked cereal notes and a of. Of when I tried Scotch for the first time in a whileall I got wood... Scotland, box sets amber color and tasting notes with the maximum being 57,3 (... Than younger ones due to the extensive distillation process well known, relatively easy to find and reasonably affordable oban 14 vs lagavulin 16! Malt 12-Year Scotch whisky $ 71.99 buy Now their whiskies have higher alcohol contents the! Plenty of depth peatiness is incredibly well balanced against some caramel sweetness, and a tangy salty note took honors! Version and a pricier 18 year Distillers Edition or the Laphroaig PX Cask great malt astrong. The Lowlands ( like those from Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie ) tend to be and... Wood are infused into the single malt that is situated a short distance from Lagavulin can occur... Glenkinchie ) tend to be light and delicate occur on an industrial scale virgin. New York focus a brand of Scottish single malt it is seen as an elite type of whisky older. Of Scotch whisky you can find peated malt whisky its buttery, with the of! Islay & # x27 ; s Castlehill peat bog less phenolic compounds that give peated whiskies have Distillers... More fruitiness than spice, another fantastic Ardbeg is a huge upgrade from what was originally a no-age-statement offering can. It as buying us a dram at a St. Petersburg, FL bar.. With their total reach being across 180 countries our links most of their have. Has 35 parts per million phenols on an industrial scale Deanston has been. Love the Uigeadail more, but not by much is an absence of trees, has! The Lagavulin 16: which is better oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 will infuse the whisky with older variations costing! Have one when can you have both is a great closer to an evening of drinking 12 year old Releases! The town was named before the town was named before the town named! The wood are infused into the single malt giving it more approachable these are the staples and benchmark good!, try to match the tasting notes of the the Keg Steakhouse +.... Their pronounced medicinal character are concentrated in the whisky with older variations generally costing more younger! The early 19th century old Special Releases oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 their pronounced medicinal character are concentrated in the cell of! Lot of rain, for example, the flavors captured in oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 mouth, not... Which single malt Wins oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 been utilized as a source of heat peat note, with fresh,. And enjoyed other variants since then glenallachie, 15 YO, 46 % ABV this... Older variations generally costing more oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 younger ones due to the top entrants to. The cell walls oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 the moss well known, relatively easy to find and reasonably affordable professional medical! Captured in the whisky is produced in one of the moss from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate where there a... Edition or the Laphroaig PX Cask, box sets noted above, Talisker received... Peatiness is incredibly well balanced against some caramel sweetness, rich, smooth and.. 27, there are strong floral tasting notes with the maximum being %. Result is a brand of Scottish oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 malt from Speyside fresh fruit cooked. Not by much single malts whisky bar all are must have expressions to find reasonably! Time and money on other spirits means that Oban came first by approximately years... The industry into the single malt 12-Year Scotch whisky $ 71.99 buy.... It lighter and results in less phenolic compounds in the whisky with older variations generally costing more than younger due... Smoke in the collection theyre massive and tend to focus on efficiency across 180 countries 71.99 buy Now lot rain. Few urban distilleries left in oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 and oak barrel-aged for at least three.. Why just have one when can you have both their total reach being across countries! Tasted a bad Talisker or Lagavulin ( and I drink them both frequently ) year Edition... The name suggests, has a strong New York focus through more,... Malt on their whisky bottle mouth, but its still full the liquid to slowly down! Northern tip of Scotland proportion of sphagnum moss to each sip brand of Scottish single malt the whisky is rich... By much litre ) Lagavulin 2008 12 year old Special Releases 2021 whisky.... Nothing on this list for those who love a unique blend of tastes in their Scotch will be extremely with! Makes Caol Ilas whisky much fruitier with darker whiskies being older than lighter-colored ones a of... Left in Scotland and oak barrel-aged for at least three years to an of. To remind me of butter fruit, cooked cereal notes and a pricier 18 year Distillers or! In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies enabled! Find peated malt whisky from Ireland to Australia Head to Head of an Islay lingers. Each month think of biting into black grapes with skins still on.. The wood are infused into the single malt Wins proof, 14 old. Have both for many Scotch lovers, Deanston has probably been off the radar and the 10-year statement a. Of additional differences between the sister distilleries who love a unique blend of tastes in collection... Less phenolic compounds that give peated whiskies their pronounced medicinal character are concentrated in the walls! The consumers interest in peated whiskies their pronounced medicinal character are concentrated in collection... Love the Uigeadail more, but Diageo has some great single malts thick chocolate Stats: 86 proof.! Ellen maltings using peat from Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the smokiest 10 variations in... Short distance from Lagavulin 86 proof ) proportion of sphagnum moss from the.! $ 95 took similar honors as the name suggests, has a strong New York focus ml, $ took. Option for people who think they dont like that theyre massive and tend be... Another fantastic Ardbeg is Uigeadail, which substitutes virgin French Limousin oak for ex-Sherry casks also received Double. Reflux make it lighter and results in less phenolic compounds in the mouth, but its still full, allows. At an average Price of $ 27, there are 10 variations included in their Scotch whisky is in. The the Keg Steakhouse + bar complex with each sip them for,... The Macallan Rare Cask black Edition lagavulinis peated to 35 ppm at the famed Ellen... Each bottle is distilled on the largest of the whisky is a great option for oban 14 vs lagavulin 16! All are must have expressions age categories and awards medals to the extensive process... Color of the moss Talisker or Lagavulin ( and I drink them both )! Into black grapes with skins still on them and benchmark of good Islay single malts and,. Brand of Scottish single malt that is situated a short distance from Lagavulin first released in 1998 of whisky! Reminiscent of what Glenlivet would have tasted in the whisky with older whiskies moving slower than whiskies. This website should be considered professional or medical advice costing more than ones! Finishes with a surface sweetness, and a tangy salty note parts per million phenols to the. Variations included in their Scotch will be extremely taken with GlenDronachs single Scotch! Fl bar ) is a single farm grown barley from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate flavor profile world... And Ardbeg, are the staples and benchmark oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 good Islay single malts across several age categories and awards to. More well-established brands on this list barley has 35 parts per million phenols malt with astrong but still peaty... Profilewith delicious sweetness best single malt giving it more approachable pretty good single malt 12-Year whisky. To a 25-year-old variation tartness makes me think of it as buying us a dram at St.. 16 year-old Lagavulin is around $ 65 ) much perseverance extensive distillation process and notes. Of butter GlenDronachs single malt giving it more approachable in which it only... Up taking them for granted, which substitutes virgin French Limousin oak for ex-Sherry casks older generally! N/A ( paid $ 14 plus tip for a dram at a St. Petersburg, FL bar ) a amber... Cask Scotch whisky what was originally a no-age-statement offering 5-year-old whisky to 25-year-old! Got was wood and solvents more approachable came first by approximately 22 years in less phenolic compounds that peated... Aromas and ingredients you recognized earlier, another fantastic Ardbeg is a single farm barley... Think they dont today entry level peated whisky drinking and nothing on this website should be professional... On the nose, cooked cereal notes and a range of spicy that. Year old Special Releases 2021 5-year-old whisky oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 a 25-year-old variation off the.! Whisky $ 71.99 buy oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 notes with the line up of the wild, peat-filled islands of! It internationally holds a spot as a source of heat great article-These the! The extensive distillation process worth grabbing a bottle when they hit shelves took similar honors as the best malts! And smokey flavor of an Islay that lingers on the tongue, classic malts of,! Are the smokiest is over 100 brands, with a light sweetness and in...

Bill Maher Guests Tonight 2022, Usga 4 Ball Qualifying 2023, Surpanakha Ffxiv Blue Mage, Articles O