Lagavulin 16

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 43%

Is the crown bottle of Islay Dead? How price increases pushed out the smoky scotch king.

Lagavulin 16 Facts

Region: Islay, Scotland

Age: 16 Years Old

Strength: 46% ABV

Colouring: Yes

Chill Filtered: Yes

Extra Information:
The price massively increased in 2023

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Experience

The whisky elder is certainly a great looking bottle and we can only hope that Diageo doesn’t go and redesign it like their Talisker branding… I know I need to move on from that.

With the green glass bottle and off-white label it leans into the heritage without becoming cliche. This is helped by the fact the design itself hasn’t really changed at all over the years.

43% is pretty good when you consider it is a mass produced bottle and to the shock of no one there is added colour helping to retain the gold liquid consistency.

Huge props to both Nick Offerman and Iain McArthur for being champions for Lagavulin bringing in their respective audiences.

Nose

On first pop of this cork the harbour notes swamped the room leaving a fascinating fishy and sooty smoke aroma hanging in the air. Sadly, as the years have gone on and I have explored the whisky world more, the nose has certainly faded.

Mainly I find a gentle sweet and slightly sherried smoke escaping the glass with a gentle warming peat coming through. There is wet purple leather coming through with a sea air salty note which ties in lovely with some citrus freshness.

Each time I reach for this glass the nose always underwhelms at first only to reward you with each following sniff.

Taste

The texture is surprising, after falling into the wrong mindset of “under 46% means over watered” this has a uniquely oily and almost chewy quality. I would dare to say this has a luxurious taste, which could translate anywhere from rich, creamy and well rounded to that dreaded smooth word.

Flavour wise it is a bit all about the shop ranging from the water found in a tuna can to sharp summer berries like blackcurrants and raspberries. The smoke is present but not overpowering, think more of smoked cheese then smoke itself. There is a strong sharp slice of citrus cutting through the middle with tangy lemons and blood oranges. This is dangerously easy to polish off and pour a second glass (which, I have done) to further dive into the flavours.

The finish is carried by the beachside campfire smoke with a slightly metallic and salty tang.

Value for Money

Right now you will be hard pressed to NOT find it on offer!

I think the price increase certainly put off a lot of folk, me included. For what was picked up for £49 now sitting with an RRP of about £80 in just 3 years is a hard pill to swallow. Yet, as I double check my notes as I type this up, there are 4 different online stores with this on sale for £69 which I think is a more than fair 16 year old Islay whisky.

However, while the sharp price rise has left a bitter taste for many maybe we just had it too good for too long? I would say the new price tag is quite fair for this bottle and I can see myself replacing the hole that this bottle left on the shelf. On sale of course!