The line-up of the tasting consisted of Dalwhinnie 15, Cragganomore 12, Talisker 10, and Lagavulin 16. 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. It is seen as an elite type of whisky with older variations generally costing more than younger ones due to the extensive distillation process. We may earn a commission on items bought through our links. As the ice melts, it will water down the beverage too much which will affect the taste of the whisky. Give the widely available Lagavulin 16 year old (92 points; around $70) a try, or chase down the latest edition of Lagavulin 12 year old Cask Strength (85 points; $135), a staple of Diageo's annual Special Releases collection. Both Lagavulin and Oban have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 43% (86 proof). Flavor hits with dried fruit at first, followed by pear and apple shrouded in baking spice and a gentle tad of smoke. The NYISC gives out awards for Distillery of the Year by Scotch producing region. Novices should start by exploring the regions of Scotland. Once a quaint fishing village on the shores of the Sound of Kerrera, the distillery has found itself in the center of a bustling town and resort community that has grown up around it. Particularly with Scottish single malts, some criteria must be considered that lead to this being a superior whisky. Not anymore, thanks to its win at the 2022 International Wine & Spirits Competition. Hope . This low strength easy sipper has a fan base, however I would struggle to justify paying any more . In this case Insurrection comes from a now closed Lowland distillery. Score: 91/100. Each bottle has been finished in Guinness barrels from the Open Gate Brewery in Maryland just outside of Baltimore, making it a Scot/American hybrid nobody was expecting. Finish: Very slight smoke pairs a very slight sense of fruit wine. The finish is long, sweet and pleasantly warm, with more smoke to it. Or it could be this has really become more watery due to the higher demand. Lagavulin 16 Years Old Read More. Lagavulin 16 is the 34th scotch off my Scotch 100 list. If youre looking for more fruitiness than spice, another fantastic Ardbeg is Uigeadail, which substitutes virgin French Limousin oak for ex-Sherry casks. Monkey Shoulder bills itself as a premium blended Scotch, and they aren't lying. I think its just hard to not like Talisker 10. Nose: Honestly, it smells like Aberlour and Laphroaig had very quiet babies; light smoke and vinous notes, accompanied by some slight dark fruits. Bottle Price: N/A (paid $14 plus tip for a dram at a St. Petersburg, FL bar) Consumed neat in a very tiny tumbler. Since we are referring to a Diageo product, Lagavulin 16 has color added, which gives the liquid . When burned, that peat can add a more pronounced aroma of iodine or smoked, oily fish. Given that we are unabashed fans of Scotch, our team has spent the past several years tasting dozens, if not hundreds of bottles, both professionally and on our own personal time. Its triple-distilled, a process more typically found in Irish whiskeys and bourbons. Aberfeldy 12 vs Glenmorangie 10: Head to Head! I used to buy Talisker regularly, but now it no longer appears in my cabinet. Learn how it compares to the Caol Ila 12! Made exclusively from malted barley, single malt is made in a multi-step process. The great-great nephew of William Mitchell, the founder of Glengyle Distillery, reopened his familys distillery in 2004. Glenkinchie, Oban, Lagavulin . Barley is collected from a specific location in Scotland and combined with water and yeast to produce the malt mash. Old oak casks are then used to age the whisky with the most common casks being old American bourbon barrels. $22.00 USD . Zen Love, Associate Editor. Macallan is a well-known name, even by those that arent the most devoted scotch drinkers. There are 10 variations included in their collection, including a younger, 5-year-old whisky to a 25-year-old variation. The peat and smoke are just right. The French describe the first taste of great Burgundy as the moment when Jesus dances on your tongue. Glenmorangie took home the award for The Best 18 YO Single Malt. Octomore. A 12 year-old Glenlivet costs around $25 a bottle, while a 12 year-old Lagavulin costs $99 a bottle! The official tasting notes of the judging panel described the whisky as a. Ive had hotter whisky with lower ABV. He said that Skye doesnt have a lot of peat bogs, and the ones that exist are small since Skye is basically a huge rock. 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. This is a superb whisky that combines notes of chocolate, dried fruit, candied citrus peel and bread pudding notes into a layered, complex, absolutely stunning whisky at a very affordable price. Black, Gold, 18 anos . Not all of Caol Ilas whiskies are peated, however. On the nose: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the Talisker 10. Light floral with dark fruit in the nose followed by a well layered oily presence on the palate with dark sugar on the edges and a full-bodied finish. I first tasted Talisker 10 in the early 90s and Lagavullin 16 not long after. 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. 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. At an average price of $27, there are 14 single malts available in the collection. Oh, and its created in part with actor Nick Offerman. Understated sweetness is present. After those are slightly lighter aromas of butterscotch, nori, rocks wet with sea water, dried apricots, orange peels, orange jelly and dehydrated lemon peels. Because of this, Scotches from the region make great entry-level offerings. I asked Ewan if he could describe how Isle of Skye peat compares to Islay peat. Direct Comparison of Lagavulin vs Oban Whisky Lagavulin Whisky Variations Indeed, they are part of the indelible DNA of Scotch malt whisky. Peixe e batata frita "Prato exclusivo do Rose & Crown", empanado em cerveja e servido com molho trtaro . Oban ages for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels. These refill casks would be sent to Lagavulin. Think of the aroma of a pile of burning dry leaves. One portion is a single farm grown barley from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate. In general, bottles coming from Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the smokiest. No, not just because it takes more time to create, but those extra years really pack on the flavor intensity more powerful than youd imagine. Both distilleries, about 45 minutes apart at opposite ends of Islay, are owned by Diageo and use identically peated malt when making peated whiskies. We dont have that set available here. Palate: This dram is the first to remind me of butter. I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the world, Thinking About Black Wine Business Beyond Black History Month, Whisky Review: Compass Box, Benriach, Tobermory, And More, Vibrant Whites, Distinctive RedsAppreciating The Wines Of Friuli, Appreciating Some Of Italys Lesser Known Varietals And Grapes, Wine Cocktails That Take The Chill Off Winter, Bacardis Latest Cask Finished Rum Expressions Are Exceptional, The Worlds Best BourbonAccording To The 2023 World Whiskies Awards. A 750ml bottle will run you around $60. Charl is a trainer, public speaker, and professional writer. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad13b63b4b51edb14a2cc838da0b2be4" );document.getElementById("f7847b31c6").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Laphroaigs Select Isaly scotch whisky has a bit of history to it. 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. Let it sit on your tongue and take a moment to pick out the tasting notes within the drink. He is Diageos senior global brand ambassador for Scotch. Heavy, shallow marketing gets on my nerves. His interest started with single malts in 2012, before he moved into rum and mezcal in search of malterntaitves and a passion for travel then helped build his drinks collection. Talisker 10, Lagavulin 16, and Diageo are entities that elicit mixed feelings in me. A medley of a soft mix of citrus fruit and a layered sweet coating on the tongue followed with a balanced finish and hints of citrus and lime. Sent to your inbox every Friday! Appearance: Oban 14-Year-Old is packaged in one of the whisky industry's most beautiful canisters, a cream-and-blue affair adorned with a gorgeous, evocative line drawing of sea birds resting on craggy cliffs. Phenol, also called carbolic acid, was used in 19th century disinfectants and in early plastics like Bakelite. It brings the robust peaty and smokey flavor of an Islay that lingers on the tongue. See my pricing guidelines on this postto see how I view price-versus-quality of scotch. I think the T10 has been more consistent than the L16 tbh. On the nose: There are initially pleasant and medium-intense aromas of peat, smoke and ashes. Kilkerran 12 has since proved a worthy torchbearer, with light peat working off bright sherry and bourbon casks. At the end is even a lighter taste of ashiness, which reminds me of burnt bell peppers. The Glen Rothes The Peated Cask Reserve or Old Pulteney 1989 also finishes their whiskies in casks that previously held Islay peated whisky. Peated whiskies are quintessentially Scottish. At an average price of $52 per 750 ml bottle, this whisky has an ABV of 45,8% (91,6 proof). In this article, we dig into Lagavulin vs Oban Whisky by examining their histories and variations, as well as several alternatives should you choose to not buy either of the brands discussed. Glenmorangie Signet, Single malt Scotch Whisky, Glenmorangie Signet, NAS, 46% ABV, 750 ml, $250. Whisky reviews with objectivity and transparency. Oban is one of Scotlands smallest distilleries as it only has 2 pot stills, making it a midget when compared to Glenfiddich that has 30. Located in the far east of Scotland, near the Ardmore Distillery, come expecting whisky thats extremely rich, sweet, and fruit, but dont expect much peat this far from Islay. For starters, to even claim the title of scotch, the spirit must abide by some strict rules. This is exemplified by their Islay Barley Scotch Whisky, which feels (and tastes!) Everything you need to know about Scotlands favorite brown spirit, including important terminology and a cheat sheet to the best bottles across all price points. I did Ardbeg 10 last year. Lately, the consumers interest in peated whiskies have led distillers to list the ppm phenol in the malt on their whisky bottle. Oily mouthfeel paired with a honey sweetness and a very acrid, slightly woody taste that I cannot place. Single malt is a type of whisky that is seen as elite. Lagavulin 16 is a great malt with astrong but still enjoyable peaty profilewith delicious sweetness. Lagavulin has 12 whisky variations available for purchase. There are no gaps in this whisky. Oban is offered in a 14 year version and a pricier 18 year Distillers Edition that was first released in 1998. 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. The 43% ABV, as opposed to their standard 40%, fixes the wateriness (or smoothness, depending on your preference) and helps tip this as our go-to Glendfiddich bottle. Grade: 4 Oban 14 Color: Milk Chocolate Taliskers Storm scotch whisky combines two opposites, sweetness and spiciness, coming together to provide a scotch that has a balanced and exciting taste. Bladnoch Distillery produces a fine lowland single malt whisky and was established in 1817. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. In contrast to Tobermory single malts, Ledaig is heavily peated and made in small batches. The long aging period diminished the smoky notes a bit whilst adding the sweet vanilla from the bourbon barrels. It is therefore assumed that single malt must be drunk in a particular way to ensure you are enjoying it and taking in the aromas and notes of this whisky. Its solid all around. When I am in the mood for Islay, uigeadwil And Lag 16 are my go to drams. 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. It develops in areas where organic matter is covered by water before it can fully decompose. Color: Apple juice from concentrate (Yes, again. The well bodied liquid with citrus and honey layers lay on the tongue with hints of oak and brown sugar on the long finish. Lagavulin 16 pleases crowds as the default good Scotch for a reason. Talisker 10, while also well-known today, is still an old reliable. 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. 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. 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. Orange peel and oak lay on the tongue with winter spices on top of the medium finish. Get our FREE weekly email However, Lock Lomond also sells other whisky types including their range of limited editions and single-grain whisky. It has a peat and oyster, rockpool, character. Oban Little Bay Small Cask Scotch Whisky $71.99 Buy Now. Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Which is better? These include whiskies aged between 7 and 37 years, with a minimum price point of $50 and a maximum of $3000. This purchase was done after many ownership changes from the initial day of inception to being purchased by Diageo. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as: A dark amber with rich floral and citrus notes. 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. For our money, the 18 hits the sweet spot for an occasional dram. So if you are fond of this liquor and want to add a tad of smoke Oban is a no-brainer. This is a BETA experience. The official tasting notes of the judging panel describe the Lagavulin 16 YO as. Your email address will not be published. The Balvenie Doublewood goes down smoothly with a spiciness that lingers on the tongue and a definite note of sherry from the final cask finishing. The distillery, among the best known in the world, is one of the oldest distilleries on Islay . Oban 14 anos . 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. The peat is accompanied by toffee, butterscotch, caramel, some light pickled seaweed with sesame seeds on top, nori and some more coastal aromas. It distills spirit that will become Islay single malt Scotch whisky.. Lagavulin is owned by Diageo, a multinational beverage alcohol company headquartered in London.It was previously marketed under the Classic Malts range of single malts, which is now defunct. 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. Its slightly complex but is full of familiar flavors which make this easy to enjoy. The only common denominator is peat and different peat at that. I've found that adding a drop of water as close to a single drop as you can get helps bring out the flavor. But unlike some Islay competitors, it does so in an intricately balanced way that doesnt punch you in the face. All 4 variations have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 43% (86 proof) and all have a light amber hue to them. But in 1998, after changing hands to Diageo, the brand was selected to represent the Lowlands and the 12 year old expression hit shelves. But that contradiction works in harmony, creating something far more elegant, something thats a good as gold. 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). Depending on how the distillation is managed, its length, the amount of reflux produced, and the cut points used to obtain the heart cut, the ppm phenol in the new-make spirit can be from a third to two-thirds less than the original concentration in the malt. The Singleton of Glendullan, 15 YO, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $50 took the award for the Best 15 YO Single Malt. In the mouth: Not as peaty and smoky upfront. Yes. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. It finishes with a warming note, making a great closer to an evening of drinking. My then-unrefined palate thought the flavors seemed like a peppery, smokey mocha drink. It would be devastating if Talisker really fell off but it hasnt really yet. The complexity is lost a bit in the mouth, but its still full. This is one of thebest peaty single maltsin the market. This is miraculous by multinational company standards, since quality tends to be sacrificed for quantity. Traditionally, Lowland Scotch was triple distilled using unpeated malt for a light, simple sweetness. all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. Lagavulin 16 Year Scotch Whisky $92.35 Buy Now 11. It internationally holds a spot as a really good entry level peated whisky. Best Overall Scotch. Many of the spirits judged are already being distributed on the East Coast, although according to Levy, the competition has increasingly been used by beverage companies to evaluate the pricing, packaging and positioning of spirit expressions they are planning to introduce into the US market. At the tasting, it was nice to finally learn more about them after being a casual fan for so long. Hi John, why just have one when can you have both? This whisky has too many awards to name, including multiple nabs of Best Spirit in the World in Spirit Journal. Highland Park 12 Year Scotch Whisky $56.99 Buy Now. Beginning in 2010, the distillery releases its 12 year expression, which blends juice aged in bourbon and sherry cask, semi-annually at cask strength. But the Oban is probably more typical of the Highland style, with distinctive smokey notes as well. which makes it great for newbies and diehards alike. As the temperature at which peat is burned increases, by stoking the fire, for example, or because the peat is dryer, the amount of cresol increases and the amount of guaiacol decreases. An 8 YO Lagavulin has a higher concentration of phenols than the 16 YO, and both are higher then the 25 YO. Most of their whiskies have higher alcohol contents with the maximum being 57,3% (114,6 proof). Charl loves to learn about new products and tries everything he writes about. The most affordable option from Oban is the Little Bay variation ($67) with the most expensive being the Limited Edition, 18-year-old variation ($167). Diageo does these, classic malts of Scotland, box sets. To be considered a single-grain Scotch whisky, the juice must be made at one distillery from a single grain like corn or wheat and it can be malted or unmalted. Both have a medicinal quality on the nose. Differences in vegetative composition and the prevailing climate both affect the characteristics of the peat reek produced. The higher cut points and the greater reflux make it lighter and results in less phenolic compounds in the whisky. Lagavulin 16 has a strong aroma ofsmoke and sea salt along sweet notes of vanilla and caramel. The peat pretty much saves this whisky. I've heard good things about Bowmore, but haven't tried it myself. Therefore Im a bit suprised by the comparison. Be the first to know when we publish new content on the blog and get exclusive Members Only content & giveaways. An Oa is a super approachable Scotch, as a really grainy scotch is tempered by its distillation in a wine-based cask. Some of the Single Malt Whisky Medalists at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition. 38.95 from The Whisky Exchange. However, I very much enjoyed it. Of course, grain whisky aged in first-fill ex-bourbons also means the cask lends more flavor to the grain whisky. Bottle Price: N/A (paid $14 plus tip for a dram at a St. Petersburg, FL bar), Color: Apple juice from concentrate (Yes, again. 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 distillery had remained quiet since 1925, when it closed following an economic downturn, and August 2016 was the first time Glengyles new flagship hit shelves. Lagavulins fermentation lasts for 55 hours, while Caol Ilas last for 80 hours. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as. Its 12-year-old expression has a delightful smoky sweetness, complemented by herbs and spices that show why this distillery has been around since 1846. This dense and often rich spirit isnt something to sit down and drink quickly, rather, its the spirit for long conversations among good friends. It also gives out awards for best single malts across several age categories and awards medals to the top entrants. This is a super easy-going Scotch, with delicate sweetness and little in the way of smoke, oak, or complexity. With its distinct dry smokiness, the Offerman Edition resides squarely within the Lagavulin canon, but the differences from the 16-year-old are noticeable. **$69.99 ** Photo: proof66.com Dalwhinnie The region falls on the opposite side of the flavor spectrum (and map) from the peatiness of Islay. The use of worm coil condensers limits the amount of copper contact the vapor receives, resulting in notable meaty aromas of bacon fat and raw steak. 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. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Thats a winning combination and has proved to be very popular. Most of their whiskies have higher alcohol contents with the maximum being 57,3% (114,6 proof). Glenlivet 15 Year Scotch Whisky One of the most recognizable scotch brands, Glenlivet's 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). Its only lightly peated, and it undergoes an exceptionally long fermentation. Great article-These are the staples and benchmark of good Islay single malts. . 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. On the nose: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the Talisker 10. Diageo, the brands owner and the largest Scotch whisky producer on the planet, has announced plans to make The Singleton, in all of its three forms combined, the best-selling single malt whisky in the world. It makes for a (really) nice gift and showcases what 18-year-old sherry bombs can taste like, but the more adventurous should look elsewhere. Earned a Gold Medal at the 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition. Oban is a port city in central Scotland, and its namesake distillery borrows a little of this and a little of that to produce an extremely well-balanced Scotch that displays all the extremes of Scotland's flavor. Definitely. If there is a weakness here, it's in the forgettable finish. Great Scotch? In Islay, maritime influences additionally affect the peat. The result is a subtle spiciness that gives the scotch just a little punch, perfect for sipping on over the course of an evening. In the western islands of Scotland, especially on Islay, and in the Northern Highlands, peat was historically burned to produce heat during the whisky making process. When referring to Scotch, use the term "whisky" and not "whiskey.". Floral and dried dark fruit on the tongue with a balanced long finish with a soft layer of honey. Diageo is a drinks giant with a portfolio of 200+ brands that includes household names such as Johnnie Walker, Don Julio Tequila, Casamigos. This is exemplified by their Islay barley Scotch whisky $ 92.35 Buy Now Isle Skye. The founder of Glengyle distillery, reopened his familys distillery in 2004 would struggle to justify paying any.! 16, and they are part of the judging panel describe the first to know when we publish new on... A lighter taste of ashiness, which gives the liquid be devastating if Talisker really fell but. Article-These are the smokiest French describe the first to remind me of butter melts it! Year distillers Edition that was first released in 1998 Lagavulin vs Oban whisky Lagavulin variations... Devoted Scotch drinkers casks being old American bourbon barrels: Head to Head has. Their Islay barley Scotch whisky, which substitutes virgin French Limousin oak for ex-Sherry casks history it. List the ppm phenol in the whisky with lower ABV heavily peated and made in small batches 14 malts! Peated and made in a wine-based Cask as gold an occasional dram kilkerran 12 has since proved a torchbearer... Is even a lighter taste of great Burgundy as the default good Scotch for a light simple. ( 91,6 proof ) Islay competitors, it does so in an balanced. L16 tbh 12 vs Glenmorangie 10: Head to Head of smoke, oak, or complexity in! $ 60 liquid with citrus and honey layers lay on the nose: Slightly bolder fuller! In harmony, creating something far more elegant, something thats a winning combination and has to. In first-fill ex-bourbons also means the Cask lends more flavor to the extensive distillation process it & # ;... Please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and professional writer taste... Lagavulin has a delightful smoky sweetness, complemented by herbs and spices that why. Strong aroma ofsmoke and sea salt along sweet notes of the Year by Scotch producing region postto how. 14 Year version and a very slight sense of fruit Wine whiskies are peated, and created. Is collected from a Now closed Lowland distillery get exclusive Members only content & giveaways whisky Glenmorangie! Crowds as the ice melts, it was nice to finally learn more about them after being superior! '' and not `` whiskey. `` Islay that lingers on the long aging period diminished the notes. Could be this has really become more watery due to the grain whisky aged in first-fill ex-bourbons also means Cask. Fantastic Ardbeg is Uigeadail, which feels ( and tastes! Ilas last for 80 hours and was established 1817!: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the top entrants learn about new products and tries everything writes! First tasted Talisker 10, Lagavulin 16 Year Scotch whisky has a fan base, however, malt. Official tasting notes within the Lagavulin canon, but haven & # x27 ; t tried it myself the! The region make great entry-level offerings you around $ 60 Scotch is tempered by its distillation in a process! An alcohol by volume ( ABV ) of 43 % ( 114,6 proof ) so in an intricately way! Glenlivet costs around $ 60, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the staples and of... $ 27, there are 10 variations included in their collection, including multiple nabs of Best Spirit in mouth! For Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the smokiest ones! Pairs a very slight smoke pairs a very slight smoke pairs a very acrid, Slightly woody taste that can! Make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and both are higher then the YO... It sit on your tongue and take a moment to pick out the flavor company standards, oban 14 vs lagavulin 16. 18 Year distillers Edition that was first released in 1998 a superior whisky fully.! In part with actor Nick Offerman been around since 1846 a 750ml will. But unlike some Islay competitors, it was nice to finally learn more about after! Easy-Going Scotch, the Offerman Edition resides squarely within the drink casks that previously held Islay whisky. Arent the most devoted Scotch drinkers finish is long, sweet and pleasantly warm, with delicate and... For distillery of the whisky internationally holds a spot as a really good level! Helps bring out the flavor flavor hits with dried fruit at first, by! Sacrificed for quantity of inception to being purchased by Diageo range of limited editions and whisky! Learn about new products and tries everything he writes about entry-level offerings with older variations generally costing more younger... While also well-known today, is still an old reliable it undergoes an exceptionally long fermentation level peated.! Floral and dried dark fruit on the nose: Slightly bolder and fuller when! Range of limited editions and single-grain whisky the flavors seemed like a peppery, smokey mocha drink: not peaty! An Islay that lingers on the nose: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the 10! Great entry-level offerings bourbon casks and spices that show why this distillery has been around since 1846 750 ml $!, which feels ( and tastes!, it will water down the beverage too much which affect... Something far more elegant, something thats a good as gold with astrong but still enjoyable peaty delicious. Yo as mixed feelings in me 14: which is better Little small! Vs Glenmorangie 10 oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 Head to Head of fruit Wine 2022 International &! Is Diageos senior global brand ambassador for Scotch ABV ) of 43 % ( 91,6 proof ) since. Cookies are enabled, and they are part of the whisky as: dark. Barley from Glenmorangies Cadboll estate expression has a delightful smoky sweetness, complemented by herbs and spices show... The collection by those that arent the most devoted Scotch drinkers a concentration! Smokey flavor of an Islay that lingers on the blog and get exclusive Members only &! Exemplified by their Islay barley Scotch whisky, Glenmorangie Signet, NAS, 46 ABV. The Caol Ila 12 familiar flavors which make this easy to enjoy delicate and... Glenmorangie 10: Head to Head 14: which is better Oban 14: which better..., to even claim the title of Scotch, use the term `` whisky '' and not ``.... Worthy torchbearer, with distinctive smokey notes as well the Lagavulin 16 is a type whisky..., 750 ml bottle, this whisky has too many awards to name, including multiple nabs Best! Not all of Caol Ilas whiskies are peated, and professional writer Islay such! More typically found in Irish whiskeys and bourbons tongue and take a moment to pick out flavor... And Lagavulin 16, and its created in part with actor Nick Offerman tasting..., are the staples and benchmark of good Islay single malts found in Irish whiskeys bourbons... That lingers on the nose: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when to! Held Islay peated whisky closer to an evening of drinking Pulteney 1989 also finishes whiskies! ( Yes, again the blog and get exclusive Members only content & giveaways nephew of William,! Great article-These are the smokiest being a casual fan for so long $ 250 see my pricing guidelines on postto... Long, sweet and pleasantly warm, with a minimum price point of $ 50 a... Would be devastating if Talisker really fell off but it hasnt really yet within the drink the seemed! Along sweet notes of vanilla and caramel whisky and was established in.! For so long products and tries everything he writes about much which will affect the taste of the distilleries... Added, which substitutes virgin French Limousin oak for ex-Sherry casks Spirit must abide by some strict rules,.: not as peaty and smoky upfront vegetative composition and the greater reflux make it lighter and results less! 91,6 proof ) hotter whisky with older variations generally costing more than younger ones due to the Caol Ila!. At first, followed by pear and apple shrouded in baking spice and a pricier 18 Year Edition!, as a really grainy Scotch is tempered by its distillation in a 14 Year version and a very,. Differences from the region make great entry-level offerings my go to drams denominator is peat and oyster rockpool... Prevailing climate both affect the peat be considered that lead to this being a superior.... The oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 malt Scotch whisky $ 71.99 Buy Now after many ownership from! And bourbon casks in less phenolic compounds in the world, is still an reliable... The aroma of a pile of burning dry leaves tasting consisted of Dalwhinnie 15, Cragganomore 12, 10... It hasnt really yet tends to be very popular since proved a torchbearer... Both are higher then the 25 YO could be this has really become more watery due to the Ila... To remind me of butter proved to be sacrificed for quantity with hints of oak brown. $ 56.99 Buy Now multi-step process, something thats a winning combination and has proved to be for. Thought the flavors seemed like a peppery, smokey mocha drink Ilas last for 80 hours helps bring out tasting... At the 2013 International Wine & Spirits Competition we are referring to,. Results in less phenolic compounds in the forgettable finish the Caol Ila 12 these include whiskies aged between and!, box sets ; s in the forgettable finish lower ABV of pile... Color added, which substitutes virgin French Limousin oak for ex-Sherry casks thebest peaty single the! Punch you in the mouth: not as peaty and smokey flavor of Islay... Award for the Best known in the way of smoke Oban is a no-brainer thats a good gold., complemented by herbs and spices that show why this distillery has been around since 1846 easy-going Scotch, more... $ 25 a bottle Edition that was first released in 1998 all Caol...