If you ever wondered where Lagavulin got its name, it's pretty straightforward: it's the name of the bay near one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. Since then, the lavish and peaty water that runs down the nearby hills has been the blood of the distillery and its Whiskies.
While Lagavulin is known for pretty awesome expressions, this time they outdid themselves and created a Single Malt so intense and smoky, Bruce Willis called and asked if he can be its sidekick. The Lagavulin's peated barley has 20 times more exposure to peat smoke - it's like an office in Mad Men - and the Whisky is distilled twice, for 14 hours in total. This unbelievably smoky Spirit is then aged for 16 years in old school oak casks, and after that, it gets a fine PX Sherry finish. We don't know about you, but just writing this makes our mouth water. It's sweet caramel, vanilla and dates with a healthy dose of smoke. It's so intense you'll wear a knowing grin for a week.
What does Lagavulin Distillers Edition taste like?
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Lagavulin Distillers Edition and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
First-class Whiskies are taxed not only by the state but also by the angels. This refers to the 4% of Whisky that evaporates from the barrels every year, a phenomenon known as the angel’s share.
One of the best bottles for the money. Smoky, but not as smoky as the standard Lagavulin 16. A touch sweeter. Great lingering heavy fruits and oak.
guest,
Very medicinal; Dettol, moss & sweet burnt campfire ash. Would be delicious if there was more depth to the palate. Thin, sweet, watery finish. 6/10.
Richard,
Too Smokey and peaty.
Robert,
Smoke and peat are literally what Lagavulin has been known for since over 100yrs ago... giving a Lagavulin a bad rating because it is “smokey and peaty” speaks more about you than about the bottle.
guest,
Wow! Best scotch I have tried so far. Complex. Campfire that develops into slightly fruit flavors.
Tyler,
Tasting the 2018 edition
N: char but not the intense smokiness of younger Islay expressions. It's more like the boiling sugar smell in candy making. Sweet, there's a lovely cherry and chocolate after the char.
P: deep, plummy fruit. The PX has had a very rounded jammy influence, as opposed to tartness like many sherry casks. The peat is there but more muted than lagavulin's standard bottling, and none of the seaweed and iodine of other Islays. Strong tea and salted crackers round it out.
F: sweet and salty finish. The lingering whisps of campfire remind you where it's from but the distiller's edition is Lagavulin dressed up and perfumed for a night out.
Guillermo,
Best of the best
Alan,
Amazing. My favorite scotch.
Robert,
Honestly probably the best scotch I've ever had, so smooth but the peat is just strong enough to get that real smoke. Seriously awesome bottle!
Owen,
Very similar to the 16 very subtle difference between the two.
Kody,
Possibly my favorite scotch of all time. The balance between smoke and sweetness is incredible, and the flavor is so rich. I can't recommend this one enough!
Scott,
My favorite Lagavulin to date. Wonderful flavors with a long finish.
Brendan,
Beautiful and majestic Scotch my my.
On the nose I get a nice brine, leather, earthy peat campfire smoke but you can tell there's something sweet added in. I'm a fan of sherry cask scotches, and I can pick out dark fruit notes I've found in Glendronach, so that's probably the PX cask.
To taste I get a nice rounded peat, grass, brine, smoke, sherry oak, char, with a sort of medicinal numbing of the tongue. Mellow smooth finish with more leather. long lasting finish that's not thick or oily.
No spiking flavors, all balanced in together well.
Batch Lgv 4/508 bottled 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this dram.
Aaron,
Was very excited to try this as I love the 16! Nose of peat, light iodine, a touch of sweet fruit, shortbread cookie, butterscotch, burnt sugar. The sweetness faded over time. Taste brought more of the peat/iodine with a nice big char coming next. Big black pepper blast on the finish and, while the fruit faded on the nose over time, it came out more on the taste. This was very good but not amazing. Wanted a heavier, more oily mouthfeel and a little more complexity at the end of the day. This was the 2019 version.
Kris,
The smell is of peat, brine and a flannel shirt the morning after wearing it around a campfire. It's a bold taste with heavy peat and iodine up front giving way to coffee and dark chocolate towards the end. It's also a great mouthfeel, viscous and rich. I bought this when I visited the distillery and it was one of the best experiences I had in Scotland.
Trey,
Amazing smoke and peat upfront with a long finish
Jonah,
Nice hit of vanilla, super smoky and peaty. Burns the back of the throat. Superb.
Kris,
Bought it at the distillery years ago and I've still got a little bit left, only for special times!
John,
This is really splendid!
guest,
Extraordinary.
Christopher,
Taste the peat and little chocolatey fruit but so smooth. A light sweet but not too much. And the smooth finish leaves you wanting more. Absolutely the best scotch I have ever had. I will be ordering more. Thank you Lagavulin.
Ian,
Just the right mix of smoke/peat without being too much. Absolutely a joy.
bill,
solid smokey whisky. Expensive but a great taste.
David,
You feel the rough field and stormy sea just right in your face - what a dram! The perfect gift for night delving into manly stories on past and future adventures and explorations. Life is ‚turfy‘ sweet fits right into this bottle. The Distillers Edition makes you feel this way: an extremely smokey entrée, followed by rich caramel and sweet sherry. Just adorable sip by sip. Best featured stand alone or after a gorgeous BBQ, flame grilled, the texture of the Distillers Edition beautifully merges into a dessert you will definitely prefer over chocolate cakes & co.
For instance, combined with a R&J Milles de Fleurs, the Destillers Edition comes close to Islay Heaven.
Lagavulin - thanks, from the bottom of my heart!
Michael,
Tremendous nose, viscosity and flavor. If you remove the ratings from those who don't appreciate Islay Scotches, this is easily a 9.3-9.7.
Patrick,
Lots of smoke and peat, but very smooth and finishes so well it'll leave you wanting more. Excellent, and highly recommended.
David,
Absolutely incredible. Still smokey, but with less peat than the 16 year old. The sweetness, and the strong vanilla notes are amazing. Incredibly smooth on the front and back end of the sip. Will absolutely buy more.
Adam,
Did not like, way too Smokey flavor.
Angelo,
Can I have your bottle?
Michael,
You not appreciating Islay Scotches is not a reason to rate one of the best Islay Scotches two stars. It doesn't mean it's not good, it means you didn't know what you were tasting.
Erik,
Or it means he rated it a 2-10 because it’s his rating and he didn’t like it. No need to be snobby...
Ricardo,
Currently have a bottle, and it’s one of my favorites! Very smoky from the peat, but it’s a complex and smooth finish.
Kathleen,
If I go to heaven, I want to be served Lagavulin Distillers Edition!! It starts with the most wonderful honey flavour. then the most smooth burst of fire and energy, followed by the most amazing peaty velvety finish that lingers on the tongue. Ahhhhh... I'm in heaven already!
Matt,
Love it, never without it at the home bar.
Tyler,
One of the Best Scotch I have had. Smokey flavor with a hint of peat(less than the regular 16) and great smooth finish
Forrest,
Full of soul.
Ben,
Just a great scotch... less peaty than the 16 year, but also has more developed secondary flavors like smoke and some vanilla at the tail end.
Michael,
I've been a fan of Lagavulin for many years. This bottle takes all the best that Lagavulin has to offer and mellows some of the rough edges. It has quickly risen to my #2 spot in all-time favorite Islay Scotches. (#1 was a very special single cask rum-finished Caol Isla).
Preston,
Oh man this is a must have....I just took my first sip and I shall savor every drop in this bottle!!!!
Daniel,
Fantastically smooth and smokey. This is the most refined, complex, and interesting Lagavulin of the lot. Even beats out the more expensive ones in my book. Well worth the price.
Paul,
Just like the normal 16 year, but smoother, sweeter and a little more refined. Wonderful in every way!
Larry,
This was my foray into the smokey-peaty side of Scotch. We held a tasting party on a cold winter evening around a bonfire. My more experienced friends told me to hold the sip in my mouth for a moment before swallowing, which I did. I immediately tasted tobacco with dark fruit overtones. I waited for 3 or 4 minutes between sips, as the other flavors began to reveal themselves. The peat wasn't overpowering, and ultimately the flavor went from smoke, to sweet, and finished very smoothly.
guest,
The very best
Ryan,
Spectacularly smooth sherry casked peat malt
guest,
Love this as an alternative to 16.
guest,
Fantastic flavor, the smoke doesn’t hit too hard.
Scott,
Not as rich as the 16, but very drinkable
KRISHNARAJ,
Delicious
Bill,
The fruit finish on this one(2018 bottling) doesn't seem to be as pronounced as the last bottle(2014) that I had, but still smooth and complex. It's a toss up as to whether this or the Aberlour a'bunadh is my current favorite whiskey.
David,
I’m not sure if I like this expression or the traditional 16 year better. Both are terrific smoky sweet explosions, but the PX cask finish adds a deep fruit flavor which comes out a lot more than in the 16 YO. Not a super long finish in my opinion, but nice and peaty nonetheless. A fantastic dram and one I will continue to savor.
Mike,
For me this is about as close to perfect as you can get. It has a sherry taste along with smoke and nicely balanced, it’s one of my go-to’s.
guest,
Perfect peaty scotch.
James,
Perfectly peet! It’s smoky on the nose and ends with a buttery finish.
Aaron,
Sublime peat, chocolate, honey.
Leah,
All you get is smoke. From the nose to the lingering mouth.
Michael,
People who don't appreciate Islay Scotches should probably refrain from rating them. If you don't like dark chocolate, don't eat it, but definitely don't eat it, and then tell us how bad it was b/c you don't appreciate what you're tasting.
Ivan,
To my taste, a softer and rounder Lagavulin 16. The peat was a little bit less than the 16, with very slightly more sweetness. Side by side with the 16, this was was smoother. Definitely my new favorite.
Dave,
It had a lot of the traits of lagavulin 16 but it had a sweet finishers te XO casks. It is a fireplace scotch that my family will enjoy at thanksgiving
Scott,
Wow. You have to really like the taste of salted peat. I am not among these group, but wish those aficionados well. Rest assured in the confidence I am not consuming your booze.
Alex,
Liked it
brad,
Scrumptious
Kurt,
Beautiful Smokey bite.
Steve,
Fantastic.
Charles,
Excellent dram. Although I may prefer the standard issue 16yo over this expression. This has a bit too much sweetness and iodine that challenges the peat. I think if they sold it at 46% or higher it would be perfect.
Michael,
Couldn’t be better
Brice,
Great whiskey. By far smoother than I expected and great flavor.
Brice,
So good. So good!!
Fernando,
Worth every penny.
Brett,
Delicious.
Will,
Smokey, peaty, but smooth.
guest,
Sherry bomb :)
guest,
Perfect amount of peated and smoky. One of the best. Fills the room with aromas of the Isle of Islay.
Bradley,
Little heavier than the 16 year but very good
Daniel,
Good, but the 16 yr is better for the money.
Michael,
The sherry cuts the peat in a pleasant way...but if you love the peat of lagavulin nothing beats the classic 16 year offering.
Aaron,
Absolutely stunning. You will not be let down by this dram
Timothy,
I had to give this a perfect 10 because it is the first whiskey that I tried that was not a commercial whiskey. I love the smoky finish and smell.
Andrew,
savoring every bit to the point where I don't want to finish the bottle because then I'll be out!
Cody,
Love the robust yet subtle flavor. Smooth with a slight bite at the end.
Jeff,
My go to favorite. Love the peat
guest,
A+
Brian,
Smokey, peaty, but smooth.
Anthony,
Excellent, my favorite scotch
Torey,
Very smooth, great flavors. One of the best scotches I've ever had.
Chris,
Magnificent. Every bit as delicious as the 16 but adds several dimensions of smoky goodness and has a more lasting finish. If you like the 16, you will love this.
Dennis,
I love the smoky finish that last. Very smooth and amazing finish. I am very happy with this selection
Jeffrey,
It really is the premium pick for Lagavulin bottles!
Raoul,
My best scotch so far. Enchantingly sweet nose and an aftertaste that lingers on...
Nate,
Even sweeter than the original.
Christine,
Adds some lovely extra depth to my favorite Lagavulin 16.
Perry,
Fantastic whiskey. The original is a favorite and this improves on it in a few areas
Justin,
Solid Islay scotch; the PX adds just the right bit of sweetness. I've had better, but not at this availability.
sean,
Hands down best scotch
Ryan,
This is my all time favorite
guest,
Very smooth. In my opinion 16 yr would be considered decedent however I think this edition doubles down.
Melville,
Love it. Less aggressive iodine than the 16
Rob,
My favorite! 1993-1995
guest,
Amazing flavours, lovely peaty taste. As a newcomer to whisky I think I have been spoiled. This beauty knocked the Ardbeg 10 years off my cemented number 1.
pedro,
The first kick is a downer... Too salty perhaps? However the taste when in the mouth and, specially, the aftertaste, is very good. Not worth the price, but still a good whisky.
guest,
I prefer the regular 16y old. But this is still an excellent single malt. Rich and lasting. Warm and relatively smooth for an Islay malt.
guest,
Two shots of this straight up is just like Viagra definitely put the fire back in our bed.
Brad,
Strong smoke but not too much
Davi,
Definitely the best ,
Matt,
The best.
John,
This is my absolute favorite whisky. The complexity and lasting flavor of the finish always leaves me speechless for about five minutes after every sip. Lagavulin has perfected the combination of that classic Islay peat with the soft sharpness of the sherry casks.
guest,
truly a gem
guest,
Great spirit more barrel influence than in the traditional 16.