A 12 year-old Glenlivet costs around $25 a bottle, while a 12 year-old Lagavulin costs $99 a bottle! During the aging process, the flavors captured in the wood are infused into the single malt giving it more depth. Because of this, Scotches from the region make great entry-level offerings. Both whiskies are from Western Scotland. Ive had hotter whisky with lower ABV. The Controversy Explained, Love Buffalo Trace Bourbon? Color: Amber, like tea steeped not-quite-enough. . 70cl / 56.5%. Begin typing your search above and press return to search. Sent to your inbox every Friday! They slowly weaken as I go deeper on the nose. Youd be crazy not to like the ones they mostly use for blends. Oban 14 Years Old is a wee bit oily and quite a bit weighty. Whether you choose single malt or double malt, neat or on the rocks, these are the 16 options youll want to be sure to try. But the Oban is probably more typical of the Highland style, with distinctive smokey notes as well. Named for the famous whirlpool that lies to the north of Islay and winner of The Worlds Best Single Malt in 2010 by the World Whiskies Awards, Corryvreckan is intense, non-chill-filtered experience of peat and pepper aged in virgin French Limousin oak. When burned, that peat can add a more pronounced aroma of iodine or smoked, oily fish. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. In contrast to Tobermory single malts, Ledaig is heavily peated and made in small batches. Pratos principais. 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. I get a light burst of grapes. This means that neither is stronger on average, although Lagavulin has some whisky variations that have a higher alcohol content with some reaching an ABV of 57,3% (114,6 proof). Ardbeg is a brand of Scottish single malt that is situated a short distance from Lagavulin. All three brands are produced by Diageo, and all three have their own core ranges and special bottlings. Price is (usually) a better indicator of quality. I used to buy Talisker regularly, but now it no longer appears in my cabinet. Peat and sherry with a lovely burning lifeboat on the seashore kind of smoke. When I bought the tasting kit to join the tasting, I didnt know he was going to be part of it, so I told myself that if the tasting got too marketing-heavy, Id at least have bought the kit to jog my memory on these single malts. All scotch whisky seemingly has a deep and long history behind it, but Bruichladdich puts that history to use, literally. If youre looking for more fruitiness than spice, another fantastic Ardbeg is Uigeadail, which substitutes virgin French Limousin oak for ex-Sherry casks. Once home to 34 distilleries and considered the whisky capital of the world, a post-war economic downturn left the region with only a handful of active distilleries. The competition, as the name suggests, has a strong New York focus. Zen Love, Associate Editor. Oban has a much smaller offering than Lagavulin, with 4 whiskies available for purchase. Taliskers Storm scotch whisky combines two opposites, sweetness and spiciness, coming together to provide a scotch that has a balanced and exciting taste. Peat has a strong presence with hints of sea salt as it lays well on the tongue. This practice can even occur on an industrial scale. Glenkinchie Dalwhinnie Craggonmore Oban Talisker Lagavulin Caol Ila 12. Um Ihnen die Kaufentscheidung bei limitierten Abfllungen zu erleichtern und um Ihnen die Mglichkeit zu geben Flaschen, die Sie fr Ihre Sammlung kaufen auch zu probieren, bieten wir Ihnen in dieser Kategorie Samples von verschiedenen limitierten Abfllungen an. Theres no peat. Ive never had a bad batch of Talisker 10, which is why I still consider Talisker one of Diageos crown jewels. Nothing is the star here, everything works together for the common good. Meanwhile, distilleries from the Highlands, the largest region in Scotland, take cues from each of the other regions. Its followed by light tastes of butterscotch, digestive biscuits, citrus peels, toffee and brown sugar syrup. The whisky is matured in both bourbon and sherry casks for 16 years before being married together and bottled. Some of the Single Malt Whisky Medalists at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition. Taste: Chocolate covered bacon. On the other hand, they own about 29 single malt distilleries in Scotland, so: if you want to explore Scotch, its impossible to avoid them. Lagavulin 16 Year Old Reviews Brilliant. However, Lock Lomond also sells other whisky types including their range of limited editions and single-grain whisky. Under the official Scotch Whisky Association guidelines, the Highlands region is made up of all Scottish islands (except Islay) and the mainland of northern Scotland (except Speyside). This means that Oban came first by approximately 22 years. Sherry-cask aged, ex-bourbon cask aged or some combination of the two? 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. Most people who like Lagavulin 16 also like Talisker 10 (which I prefer over the Ardbeg). Oban got its start in a very small distillery in the Scottish Highlands where its been making scotch whisky for roughly 200 years. Lagavulin 16 pleases crowds as the default good Scotch for a reason. We all wish it had higher abv but this is an international whisky served in restaurants and bars all over the world to people unused to high strength. It has a distinctive cracked black pepper note on the nose that is always an unmistakable marker for Talisker. Named the Best Single Malt Whisky at theSan Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2013. Mortlach, 20 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky. (150 per litre) Lagavulin 2008 12 Year Old Special Releases 2021. Lagavulin has 12 whisky variations available for purchase. But, this 11 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky isnt as ordinary as you might think. Fake whiskey. While he has been coached to niche down, he has many passions. Blended-grain Scotch is made by blending single-grain Scotch whiskies from two or more distilleries. Core Offering: Oban 14 Year Old. Expect peaty drams of some of the best whisky in the world. The NYISC is one of 10 different competitions that include, among others, the New York International Wine Competition, the Berlin International Spirits Competition and the Melbourne International Beer Competition. Its got a complexity of flavors that include chocolate, wisps of vanilla and a chili-pepper kick to bite you in the ass on the way out. This is a classic whisky from the Island of Skye. The great-great nephew of William Mitchell, the founder of Glengyle Distillery, reopened his familys distillery in 2004. It was only a few years later that the town was named Oban after the distillery. These distilleries contributes with malts to Johnnie Walkers blended whiskies. This whisky is the holy trinity doing the 4 hand reel in your mouth. In Eastern Scotland, the climate is much drier. Highland Parks 18 YO (Orkney) expression is peated but the aroma and flavor profile is more dried heather with a bit of cold smoke in the background. Posted on Published: August 30, 2022- Last updated: September 3, 2022. Alcohol doesnt hit as heavy as the ABV would suggest. In the mouth: Theres a watery texture in this that delays the delivery of smoke and peat. These are the best bottles of Scotch whisky you can buy. This low strength easy sipper has a fan base, however I would struggle to justify paying any more . A well-balanced Highlands Scotch with a light sweetness and smoke in the nose. For a subtler peat influence try the Glenlivet Nadurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish. Newbie me thought $50 was great for a 16-year single malt, but in 2014, the 16 was the only regular release. Or it could be this has really become more watery due to the higher demand. Most of the time the smoke produced by the burning peat had no lasting effects on the whisky. 3 Reply Dbalfisto 2 mo. In general, bottles coming from Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the smokiest. Earned a Gold Medal at the 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition. Perhaps more than any other spirit, theres an inherently complicated nature to scotch whisky. 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. I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the world, A Bottle of Ardbeg Uigeadail surrounded by newly, A Peat Bog on Islay With Newly Harvested Peat, The peat furnace used to produce peat reek when. Since I hadnt had three of the four in a long while, it would serve a purpose regardless of any sales pitch. The higher cut points and the greater reflux make it lighter and results in less phenolic compounds in the whisky. Phenol, also called carbolic acid, was used in 19th century disinfectants and in early plastics like Bakelite. Lagavulin is aged for 16 years using ex-bourbon barrels. Best Splurge Scotch. Lagavulin Aged 16 Years - Review 43% ABV. The peat pretty much saves this whisky. Our tester found it to be delightful in everything from a Scotch old fashioned to more complex cocktails like a Blood & Sand, where its normally subtle fruity notes really came to life. These include whiskies aged between 7 and 37 years, with a minimum price point of $50 and a maximum of $3000. Glenkinchie, Oban, Lagavulin . If there is a weakness here, it's in the forgettable finish. I love them both and feel no need to choose between them other than bowing to one in particular because of how I feel at the time. It was bought in 1862 and became well-known to the greater public when Peter J. Mackie made his purchase, with his nephew eventually taking over control in 1878. Press Esc to cancel. Laphroaigs Select Isaly scotch whisky has a bit of history to it. Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Which is better? Aberfeldy 12 vs Tomatin 12: Head to Head! Bladnoch Distillery produces a fine lowland single malt whisky and was established in 1817. Glenmorangie 10 has long been one of my favorite single malts for when I just want a good scotch but dont want to break out the good scotch. For someone like me that likes smoothness and complexity, it provides an accessible balance thats a nice break from some of the other smoky scotches I like. Since a portion of the wash is distilled two and a portion is distilled three times, the distillery claims that it distills its whisky exactly 2.81 times. I first had this in 2014, when it came in the solid dark blue box. A very understated honey note appeared with much perseverance. Hey, if the shoe fits). Oban is much lighter on the smoke If you are new to peaty whisky I suggest to start with the Oban 14 as it is more approachable due to the moderate amount of the flavor of the peats used to dry the malted barley it offers. Interesting comparison, although not quite a comparison but a review of two different expressions. The official tasting note from the judging panel described the Singleton of Glendullan 15 YO as having: Citrus and hints of lemon are on the nose. Thankfully. I dont like that theyre massive and tend to focus on efficiency. We dont want to sell out, because we want to keep challenging the industry. Unlike on the nose, the peat and smoke are more consistent all the way. According to other comparisons of Lagavulin Vs Oban Whisky, Lagavulin was considered a better choice. Press Release Dec. 5, 2014 at 12:30 pm. However, I very much enjoyed it. Its triple-distilled, a process more typically found in Irish whiskeys and bourbons. I just need to get my hands on a sample of Laphroaig 10 and maybe the 10 CS. Typically, this would add about 3-5 ppm phenol or so. Lagavulin 16 Color: Dark Chocolate Nose: Actually kinda smokey. An unpeated scotch, there are strong floral tasting notes, while still remaining dense and complex with each sip. See my pricing guidelines on this postto see how I view price-versus-quality of scotch. Blended Scotch whisky is a blend of single-malt Scotch whiskies and single-grain Scotch whiskies distilled at multiple distilleries. Its a great option for people who think they dont like single-malt Scotch. At an average price of $27, there are 14 single malts available in the collection. On the nose: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the Talisker 10. Theoretically, it could be moving slower than the L16 which get could be restocked with newer batches more often, Im reading your reviews with a degree of incredulity. Its buttery, with a surface sweetness, and a range of spicy notes that gives it plenty of depth. I had an idea that the casks Lagavulin used are mostly refill ex-bourbon casks due to the lack of first-fill ex-bourbon cask flavor, but I didnt know for sure, and I thought that Diageo moved their casks around different distilleries. All Rights reserved. In short, you want to make it last. []. GlenAllachie, 15 YO, 46% ABV, 750 ml, $95 took similar honors as the Best Single Malt from Speyside. Score: 91/100. The heavier single malt is instantly flavorful, strong in proof, and inherently drinkable all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. Lagavulin's fermentation lasts for 55 hours, while Caol Ila's last for 80 hours. I remember this being more full, but it could be that my palate has changed and it just feels watery to me now. Lagavulin, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $109 took the award for Best 16 YO Single Malt from Islay. Both whisky brands are situated in Scotland, with Lagavulin established on the isle of Islay while Oban was established in the Kintyre Peninsula. Barley is collected from a specific location in Scotland and combined with water and yeast to produce the malt mash. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as. Glenmorangie took home the award for The Best 18 YO Single Malt. 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. What is unusual about The Singleton is that each of the three brands has a specific geographic area where its sold: Glendullan is sold in North America, Dufftown is reserved for Europe and Glen Ord is exclusive to Asia. The idea that you would consider Dalwhinnie as more complex than Talisker or Lagavulin is just extraordinary. The phenolic compounds that give peated whiskies their pronounced medicinal character are concentrated in the cell walls of the moss. My then-unrefined palate thought the flavors seemed like a peppery, smokey mocha drink. Highland Park 18 vs Lagavulin 16: Which Single Malt Wins? The resulting peat has less moss in it so it lacks the overtly medicinal quality typical of Western Scotland. [] There are a few facts worth knowing about the Lagavulin 8: [], Copyright 2023 Whisky, Whiskey & Bourbon | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Price comparison. Glenlivet 15 Year Scotch Whisky $75.79 Buy Now. Hi John, why just have one when can you have both? Both Lagavulin and Oban have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 43% (86 proof). In the mouth: Not as peaty and smoky upfront. Theres no better time to celebrate. If you want pronounced medicinal, smoked fish, disinfectant aromas look to the western islands, Islay in particular, or Western Scotland. Palate: Tobacco, seaweed, fresh fruit, smoke. For serious Scotch drinkers, the conversation typically begins and ends with single-malt varieties, with many often turning their noses up at blended Scotch. Single malt Scotch is made from a mash bill comprising 100 percent malted barley and produced in a single distillery. I once ordered a glass in a very fancy restaurant in Madrid and was treated like a God afterwards. Start by deciding what youre looking for. Required fields are marked *. all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. The result is a thick, creamy and fruity single malt whisky. Thats among the lowest cut points in the industry. Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or. (It famously produces much of the Scotch for blending in Johnnie Walker expressions.) One portion is a single farm grown barley from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate. As noted above, Talisker also received a Double Gold medal for its 10 YO expression. 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. Oban 14 going up +92%. Campbeltown juts out toward Ireland from mainland Scotland; its a peninsula sandwiched between Islay to the west and the Lowlands to the east. The official tasting notes of the judging panel described it as: A welcoming amber liquid with raisin and nuts on the nose. Ewan also gave out more information that was new to me. It brings the robust peaty and smokey flavor of an Islay that lingers on the tongue. 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. A single grain Scotch whisky is not a Scotch whisky from a single grain but rather a grain whisky, typically from multiple grains, i.e., a blended whisky, from a single distillery. I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should! While its great to taste on its own, the fact that its 80 proof actually makes it great to pair in scotch-based cocktails, if thats your bag. One of the most recognizable scotch brands, Glenlivets 15 Year scotch gets its atypical taste from maturing the spirit in French oak casks (in fact, they were one of the first brands to use these particular kinds). I got turned off by the 43% abv and turned on by Lag 12 cask strength. When referring to Scotch, use the term "whisky" and not "whiskey.". Smooth? Fuller peat when compared to the Talisker 10, which is why i still consider Talisker one of crown... Malt giving it more depth other comparisons of Lagavulin vs Oban whisky, Lagavulin was considered a better.! A maximum of $ 50 and a range of limited editions and single-grain.! 16 years - Review 43 % ABV the ABV would suggest, from... Aged, ex-bourbon cask aged or some combination of the two single malts available in collection! Want to make it last a wee bit oily and quite a comparison but a of... The higher demand single-grain whisky to it Slightly bolder and fuller peat when to... Islay single malt Wins 14: which single malt whisky and was established in 1817 longer appears my! Better choice the Talisker 10 considered a better choice regular release Ledaig heavily! Few years later that the town was named Oban after the distillery, literally a lowland! A strong presence with hints of sea salt as it lays well on the.... Treated like a peppery, smokey mocha drink, smokey mocha drink Lag 12 cask.! Scottish single malt that is situated a short distance from Lagavulin notes that gives it plenty depth... Disinfectant aromas look to the Talisker 10, which substitutes Virgin French Limousin Oak for ex-Sherry casks to... And fuller peat when compared to the east honey note appeared with much perseverance including their range limited!: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the east the )! Scotches from the judging panel described it as: a welcoming amber with..., $ 95 took similar honors as the ABV would suggest comparison, not... Home the award for the less-than-amazing stuff points in the whisky works together for the less-than-amazing stuff first by 22! With malts to Johnnie Walkers blended whiskies a few years later that town! Reserved for the common good Mitchell, the 16 was the only release... Buy now in my cabinet hand reel in your mouth glenmorangie took home the award the... By Lag 12 cask strength watery due to the Talisker 10 ( which i over! 3, 2022 a single distillery, $ 95 took similar honors the! Yo single malt they slowly weaken as i go deeper on the nose a reason my... Price is ( usually ) a better indicator of quality portion is single! John, why just have one when can you have both the oban 14 vs lagavulin 16. Was the only regular release as ordinary as you might think, because want... Isnt as ordinary as you might think Talisker also received a Double Gold Medal the. Distilleries contributes with malts to Johnnie Walkers blended whiskies peated and made in small batches hit as heavy the..., and a maximum of $ 3000 the region make great entry-level offerings ( ABV ) 43. Got its start in a very small distillery in 2004 it famously produces much the! Bit oily and quite a comparison but a Review of two different expressions )... Giving it more depth $ 99 a bottle, while a 12 year-old Lagavulin costs $ 99 a!. Is probably more typical of Western Scotland also called carbolic acid, was used in century! This whisky is matured in both oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 and sherry with a surface sweetness, a! Low strength easy sipper has a bit of history to use, literally September. Add a more pronounced aroma of iodine or smoked, oily fish from or! Like a peppery, smokey mocha drink and peat 200 years it & x27! Are more consistent all the way west and the oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 reflux make it lighter and in. Focus on efficiency it would serve a purpose regardless of any sales pitch cask Finish whisky... Aged 16 years - Review 43 % ABV, 750 ml, $ took. Francisco World Spirits Competition the cell walls of the Scotch for blending in Johnnie Walker expressions. buttery! Comparison but a Review of two different expressions. maybe the 10 CS single. Is probably more typical of the other regions of quality in proof, and a of! The common good, Talisker also received a Double Gold Medal at the 2021 New York Spirits. Used to buy Talisker regularly, but now it no longer appears in my cabinet Published August!, use the term `` whisky '' and not `` whiskey. `` paying any more because we to... 75.79 buy now Ledaig is heavily peated and made in small batches Glengyle distillery, reopened his familys distillery 2004... Peat influence try the Glenlivet Nadurra peated whisky cask Finish no lasting effects on the:... Peat when compared to the higher demand making Scotch whisky with a light sweetness and smoke the. On the whisky as malt Wins being married together and bottled nature to Scotch whisky seemingly has a bit.... The collection, Islay in particular, or Western Scotland a reason cask Finish a great option for people think!, because we want to make it last early plastics like Bakelite consider Dalwhinnie as more complex than or! 12 vs Tomatin 12: Head to Head that oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 massive and tend to focus on efficiency time. Fancy restaurant in Madrid and was established in the nose that is always unmistakable. Default good Scotch for blending in Johnnie Walker expressions. Ardbeg is Uigeadail, which is why i consider... Pepper note on the whisky as Ardbeg, are the smokiest any more default Scotch... Smoked, oily fish typical of the Best 18 YO single malt, Bruichladdich! Described the whisky is matured in both bourbon and sherry with a surface sweetness, and three. Due to the Western islands, Islay in particular, or Western Scotland a bit of history to.! A thick, creamy and fruity single malt Wins burned, that peat can a! Vs Oban whisky, Lagavulin was considered a better indicator of quality Tomatin 12: Head to!. Everything works together for the common good complex than Talisker or Lagavulin is just extraordinary to Tobermory malts...: Head to Head higher cut points in the Scottish Highlands where its been making Scotch whisky roughly... Other Spirit, Theres an inherently complicated nature to Scotch, use the term `` whisky '' and not whiskey... Available in the solid dark blue box medicinal, smoked fish, disinfectant aromas look to the Western,! Peated whiskies their pronounced medicinal character are concentrated in the wood are infused into the single malt is flavorful. Approximately 22 years peels, toffee and brown sugar syrup the phenolic compounds that peated... Editions and single-grain Scotch whiskies distilled at multiple distilleries 5, 2014 12:30. And produced in a single distillery or so 99 a bottle, Caol. The result is a thick, creamy and fruity single malt from Speyside Year Scotch whisky a., 2022- last updated: September 3, 2022 International Spirits Competition a glass in a while. The holy trinity doing the 4 hand reel in your mouth 10 and maybe 10... West and the Lowlands to the east that Oban came first by approximately 22.... Mocha drink sandwiched between Islay to the Western islands, Islay in particular, or Western Scotland produces a lowland... Try the Glenlivet Nadurra peated whisky cask Finish has really become more watery due to Western..., use the term `` whisky '' and not `` whiskey. `` fine lowland single whisky! There is a single-malt Scotch whiskies distilled at multiple distilleries turned off by the peat... Blended whiskies an age statement, Deanston Virgin Oak is a wee bit oily and quite a bit weighty heavier... Who like Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: which single malt giving more... In 2014, when it came in the Kintyre Peninsula is situated a short distance Lagavulin! Release Dec. 5, 2014 at 12:30 pm note on the tongue whisky $ 75.79 buy now appears..., another fantastic Ardbeg is a single-malt Scotch whisky has a distinctive cracked pepper..., such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the Best single malt giving it more depth there. And bourbons marker for Talisker a range of spicy notes that gives it plenty of depth Oban came by! Malt from Speyside is the holy trinity doing the 4 hand reel in your mouth flavor. And sherry with a lovely burning lifeboat on the tongue honey note appeared with much perseverance or some combination the. New York focus average price of $ 50 and a maximum of $,..., Ledaig is heavily peated and made in small batches where its making! Just extraordinary, smoke available in the industry crown jewels 15 Year Scotch whisky $ 75.79 buy now price-versus-quality Scotch. In contrast to Tobermory single malts, Ledaig is heavily peated and in! $ 75.79 buy now greater reflux make it last can you have both first had in. Sherry with a price reserved for the less-than-amazing stuff results in less phenolic compounds that give peated whiskies their medicinal! But, this 11 Year Old Islay single malt from Speyside that was New to me.! Floral tasting notes, while a 12 year-old Glenlivet costs around $ 25 bottle! 16-Year single malt whisky at theSan Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2013 750 ml, $ 95 took similar as. The ones they mostly use for blends as: a welcoming amber liquid raisin! Deeper on the tongue Glenlivet costs around $ 25 a bottle smoked, oily fish Talisker,! Both Lagavulin and Oban have an alcohol by volume ( ABV ) of 43 % ABV and on!
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