Lagavulin Distillers Edition Double Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

One of the highlights of the DE range. Try it with aged cheeses.

The idea behind Diageo's Distillers Editions (which started in 1997), is essentially, “...an annual release of Classic Single Malts, each double-matured in a different type of cask wood to complement the characteristics of the whisky." In short, start with a core distillery expression, then finish it for an unstated length of time in a novel cask. When it came to Lagavulin, there were doubters who thought nothing could be a match for its pungent character. Those sceptics were probably unfamiliar with Pedro-Ximenez (sweet) sherry. As the years went by, many came to consider this bottling as the benchmark for the other Distiller Editions. As of 2022, the label changed. Previously you could find details like 'lgv 4/510'. Now there’s no indication of the batch. Even the vintage and confirmed age have disappeared. That means this may (or may not be) ‘extra matured’ Lagavulin 16 Year Old, instead, it would be best described as a NAS (no age statement) whisky.

When we last visited this distinctive dram, it possessed all the classic Lagavulin notes matched by the sweet accents of sun-dried grapes derived from PX cask wood. Iodine, sea spray, kelp, lanolin and white pepper over sweeter scents of vanilla, cocoa and shortbread. Lighter bodied than the standard issue, but also more silky; mildly salty with peat infused raisin bread, honey, pepper and hints of liquorice bullets in the aftertaste. Superb balance. Ends kippery, dry, with the whisky almost taking back seat to the sherry. Like a mouthful of smoked-fruit'n'nut chocolate. Quite feminine by this distillery's standards, but one of the highlights of the DE range. Try it with aged cheeses. 43% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Nose: I love how the sherry seems to amplify the smoke. Not that it’s the most smoky whisky around, but it gives it a more sooty character. Lacquered meat on the barbecue, hints of toffee and a herbal syrup. Dark bramble. Later it becomes more tart and it seems to thin out. A more vinous aroma comes out, as well as some iodine and olive brine. Mouth: fairly accessible and light, still a little vinous, but it does show a nice smokiness too. Lapsang tea, earthy liquorice, hints of dark chocolate. Then some grassy notes appear (slightly less impressive) with leather and roasted coffee. Also dried seaweed and a lightly acrid, medicinal and peppery note. Finish: medium long, with more of the medicinal ashes and sweet malty notes. Hints of baked apples and autumn leaves, with a fine bitter edge. Quite a nice dram, I still consider myself a fan of this Distillers Edition. - whiskynotes.be

...Double matured in PX seasoned casks and now coming without any age or vintage statements, while last year's still had one, 2006. Gulp! At least it lasted from the glorious vintage 1979 to vintage 2006. Colour: golden apricot. Nose: nice, fresh, not quite PX-y, rather on lapsang souchong and pu-her, old hunting jacket, Barbour grease, lanolin, with a little game, Maggi, lovage, soy sauce… Some camphor and cough syrup too. Sadly I haven't got any older vintages at hand, but I have the impression that this is fresher and less on coffee and chocolate than its ancestors. Mouth: the sherry feels a little more on the palate but it's still a refreshing and lively Lagavulin, pretty smoky, with a growing toffeeness and a little pipe tobacco. Would tend to get then heavier and a little leathery, but with good marmalade and jams (plums). Finish: medium, a little medicinal, with a feeling of sweet cough syrup. No meatiness that I can detect on the palate. The aftertaste is a notch too jammy and sweet for me, this sweetness being new. Comments: nutshell, they cancelled the vintage and age statements and seemingly raised the price to +/-125€, while bottling a fairly better and possibly younger juice. Loved the lovage in it. Crikey, I just don't know whether we should start to complain or not. 86 points - whiskyfun.com

...I cant believe I’m saying this, but this may have surpassed the 16 for the title of my favorite Laga. I was beginning to think I would never say that. But the PX sherry cask finish really gives it a balance unlike anything. That same mistifying and baffling cool, minty (eucalyptus?) finish is there. It still magically goes from deep dense smoke to a vaporous cooling note somehow. But now its almost as though its wrapped in yet another layer. It’s as dynamic and interesting as the 16, but it’s almost like it’s refined older cousin. Savoring this bottle for sure. My favorite Laga to date, and just a hair shy of a perfect rating for me. - distiller.com