Both Lagavulin and Oban have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 43% (86 proof). But the world of scotch whisky can get overwhelming pretty quickly, hence the previously mentioned complicated nature. Most of the time the smoke produced by the burning peat had no lasting effects on the whisky. NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ Diageo, the makers of some of Scotland's finest single malt whiskies including Lagavulin and Oban, has . The result is a thick, creamy and fruity single malt whisky. First, Lagavulins fermentation lasts for at least 55 hours. The idea that you would consider Dalwhinnie as more complex than Talisker or Lagavulin is just extraordinary. Aberlour keeps things simple. Oily mouthfeel paired with a honey sweetness and a very acrid, slightly woody taste that I cannot place. The spirit is made from water and malted barley or other malted grains and aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels. As noted above, Talisker also received a Double Gold medal for its 10 YO expression. With its distinct dry smokiness, the Offerman Edition resides squarely within the Lagavulin canon, but the differences from the 16-year-old are noticeable. For example, it must be made in Scotland and oak barrel-aged for at least three years. It is then distilled in a pot still which involves heating the liquid and allowing vapor to form. 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. 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So if you are fond of this liquor and want to add a tad of smoke Oban is a no-brainer. Oban is one of the few urban distilleries left in Scotland. 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. Would be interesting to see a vertical of this. 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. Glenfarclas is one of the few remaining family owned and operated distilleries in all of Scotland. Think kippers. 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. Ardbeg Uigeadail, NAS, 54% ABV, 750 ml, $79. 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. 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. The latter is present due to the use of Orcadian peat, which is an organic material thats found when plants decay. 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. The award for the Best 20 YO Single Malt went to another legendary Scotch whisky: Mortlach, 20 YO, 43.4% ABV, 750 ml, $250. With every sip, youll experience tastes of smooth vanilla, soft fruits and a memorably long, nutty finish, offering a robust and layered taste with each and every single slug. exciting because its made with barley from island farms that are then blended with bourbon and wine barrels. All three brands are produced by Diageo, and all three have their own core ranges and special bottlings. The result is a creamy, fruity whisky with hints of smoke and a salty sea breeze. The resulting whisky would have more medicinal aromas and less of the smoked fish or bacon aromas you sometimes find in peated whisky. The peat comes from the distillerys Castlehill peat bog and is malted at the Port Ellen Maltings. But I have samples of the Dalwhinnie 15 and Cragganmore 12. Ive been around the whisky block a number of times over many years and both of these whiskies remain, despite the chill-filtration and colouring, good quality whisky and a feather in the cap of Diageos global brand. Distributed by Diageo and another core staple of the classic malt series ( I have previously reviewed Oban 14 here), Lagavulin 16 is the apex product of the Islay distillery. . The resulting peat has less moss in it so it lacks the overtly medicinal quality typical of Western Scotland. So even though both peated whiskies began with the same concentration (ppm) of phenols in the malted barley, the end result is substantially different. The intensity of peat derived aromas and flavors in the wash, however, are degraded by its passage through the whisky making process. Palate: Dried fruit, pear, apple, baking spice, smoke. A well-balanced Highlands Scotch with a light sweetness and smoke in the nose. Posted on Published: August 30, 2022- Last updated: September 3, 2022. For starters, to even claim the title of scotch, the spirit must abide by some strict rules. The resulting material can build up over thousands of years to form peat bogs hundreds of feet thick. While Bruichladdichs main lineup consists of unpeated Scotches, Port Charlotte is aggressively peated in a way that stinks up the room when you pour a dram. The 12 and Limited Edition are yearly releases and werent officially available here. Uigeadail is a double matured Islay whisky, which according to the company, marries Ardbeg's traditional deep, smoky notes with luscious, raisiny tones of old ex-Sherry casks. The combination of Islays traditional smoky whisky and the sweet dried fruit notes obtained from sweet wine casks has always been a winning formula on Islay, and has been replicated in dozens of expressions. Its triple-distilled, a process more typically found in Irish whiskeys and bourbons. 38.95 from The Whisky Exchange. This whisky is creamy and smooth and pleasantly warm. However, I very much enjoyed it. After 18 years the two liquids are blended together and, after being allowed to marry, are bottled. Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Which is better? Lagavulin 16 is another one Ive recently returned to. When burned, that peat can add a more pronounced aroma of iodine or smoked, oily fish. Thats why peated whiskies can sometimes have a medicinal/disinfectant or plastic-like aroma. 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. 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. Despite being more watery, the peat here is still stronger which makes me stand by my opinion that Talisker remains the better peated single malt to introduce to folks getting into this kind of whisky. From the initial distillation of the whisky, both brands have a similar method. Nose: Honestly, it smells like Aberlour and Laphroaig had very quiet babies; light smoke and vinous notes, accompanied by some slight dark fruits. Look at the Lagavulin Distillers Edition or the Laphroaig PX Cask. Spice and the sea are present in your mouth with a spicy medium finish. These are the best bottles of Scotch whisky you can buy. This is a nice and easy sip that you can drink either neat or adding a dash of water bringing additional sweetness and more oak, although I like it as is. 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). 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. Finish: Very slight smoke pairs a very slight sense of fruit wine. Color: Amber, like tea steeped not-quite-enough. It combines a prominent smoky peat note, with fresh fruit, cooked cereal notes and a tangy salty note. The Oban Core Range at the Oban Distillery. The official tasting notes of the judging panel described it as: A welcoming amber liquid with raisin and nuts on the nose. Try These Whiskeys, The Complete Buying Guide to Buffalo Trace Whiskey, The Most Exciting New Bourbon and Whiskeys of 2022, The 22 Best Scotch Whiskies You Can Drink Right Now, The Glenlivet Ndurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish, Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old. Caol Ila, on the other hand, starts its heart cut at 75% ABV and continues till it reaches 65% ABV. ABV: 43%. The whisky is matured in both bourbon and sherry casks for 16 years before being married together and bottled. The Little Bay scotch whisky has a balance between its textured and flavorful tasting notes, which include malt, green apple, dried apricot, salt, chocolate and orange. I recently got through a couple of bottles priced at 30 and for that price its stunning. This whisky has a light gold to deep amber color with an average price of $81 and an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 46,7% (93,4 proof). That said, I think that sherried Islays are my thing; this tastes really awesome. Its still the active ingredient in oral analgesics such asChlorasepticspray. Alcohol doesnt hit as heavy as the ABV would suggest. Score: 91/100. Lagavulin is aged for 16 years using ex-bourbon barrels. Both whiskies are from Western Scotland. Its classic Offerman. Meanwhile, distilleries from the Highlands, the largest region in Scotland, take cues from each of the other regions. Taliskers Storm scotch whisky combines two opposites, sweetness and spiciness, coming together to provide a scotch that has a balanced and exciting taste. Made in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, Bowmores Islay Single Malk 15-Year Darkest Scotch Whisky produces a final result thats inherently dark looking, but also extremely rich in flavor. Historically, many Speyside whiskies had a peat component in their single malts. I first tasted Talisker 10 in the early 90s and Lagavullin 16 not long after. Lagavulin 16 has a strong aroma ofsmoke and sea salt along sweet notes of vanilla and caramel. Required fields are marked *. Talisker 10, while also well-known today, is still an old reliable. It finishes with a warming note, making a great closer to an evening of drinking. This single malt was aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels and you can tell as there are many bourbon-like notes in it. Blended-grain Scotch is made by blending single-grain Scotch whiskies from two or more distilleries. Lagavulin 16 Year Scotch Whisky $92.35 Buy Now 11. Read More: The Dalmore Releases Sherry-Cask Finish 12-Year Scotch. Whatever your tastes, we've got a recommendation. The whisky does not carry an age statement, but it includes whiskies up to 40 years old in the blend. Its a great smokey and peaty single malt for beginners to try. At an average price of $52 per 750 ml bottle, this whisky has an ABV of 45,8% (91,6 proof). Most of their whiskies have higher alcohol contents with the maximum being 57,3% (114,6 proof). There are light and mixed-up tastes of citrus peels, grape jelly, butterscotch and caramel. This Speyside distillery has an excellent lineup, with the 16-year-old landing right in the sweet spot of maturation between the 12 and 18, the other two age statement bottles in the range. Lagavulin 16 costs more and so it should considering the age and sherry. 3 Reply Dbalfisto 2 mo. But I found it offered a more balanced and sweeter note after sitting out and aerating for a bit, so take that for what it's worth. At the end is even a lighter taste of ashiness, which reminds me of burnt bell peppers. The higher cut points and the greater reflux make it lighter and results in less phenolic compounds in the whisky. Perhaps more than any other spirit, theres an inherently complicated nature to scotch whisky. In short: its an affordable bottle to get for your bourbon-loving friends to tempt them into a different kind of brown liquor. Oban Whisky distillery was established in 1794 by John and Huh Stevenson and was named before the town in which it was situated. Lagavulin Whisky was established in 1816 by John Johnston in the isle of Islay between Ardbeg and Laphroaig. The highest medal given out is the Double Gold. Kilkerran 12 has since proved a worthy torchbearer, with light peat working off bright sherry and bourbon casks. In Eastern Scotland, the climate is much drier. I get a light burst of grapes. The Controversy Explained, Love Buffalo Trace Bourbon? There were also several single malts singled out for exceptional quality. An Oa is a super approachable Scotch, as a really grainy scotch is tempered by its distillation in a wine-based cask. For a subtler peat influence try the Glenlivet Nadurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish. Best Overall Scotch. I end up taking them for granted, which allows me to spend time and money on other spirits. Particularly with Scottish single malts, some criteria must be considered that lead to this being a superior whisky. Would be interesting if you were to add the other staples: Ardbeg 10, and Laphroaig 16. The official tasting note from the judging panel described the GlenAllachie 15 YO as. We recommend thinking of each bottle of Scotch as falling somewhere along two spectrums: from light to rich; delicate to smoky. This year, there still was a total of 1,400 entrants judged. 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. If you want the peat influence to be subtler, less medicinal and more cold smoke and earth/brush, then look at Caol Ila. Yes. Bottled relatively young after spending 10 years in a mixture of first- and second-fill bourbon casks, and second-fill French wine casks, its an aggressive Scotch. Most of their whiskies have higher alcohol contents with the maximum being 57,3% (114,6 proof). You just cant go wrong with this. Think of the difference between smelling an open bottle of Pine Sol and smelling a dry pail that formerly held a solution of Pine Sol and water. When dried, peat can burn. Octomore. Highland Park Distillery is based on the largest of the wild, peat-filled islands off of the northern tip of Scotland. That also means more of the phenolic compounds make it into the final whisky. 105. Whiskies from the Lowlands (like those from Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie) tend to be light and delicate. Springbank was founded in 1828 by Archibald Mitchell and today is owned by Mitchells great-great-great-grandson, making it one of the few independent distilleries trading blows with giants like Diageo. Oh, and its created in part with actor Nick Offerman. Fake whiskey. In contrast to Tobermory single malts, Ledaig is heavily peated and made in small batches. Best Budget Scotch. In general, bottles coming from Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the smokiest. Dried herbs and a lingering soft sweetness when in the mouth with a light oak finish, he Singleton of Glendullan, 15 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The phenol guaiacol, for example, imparts flavors of kippers, smoked bacon and old cheese to a whisky, while cresol, another phenol, imparts medicinal flavors of disinfectant and antiseptic. Highland Park 18 vs Lagavulin 16: Which Single Malt Wins? On the nose: Slightly bolder and fuller peat when compared to the Talisker 10. The Macallan 18 Sherry is the perfect Scotch for non-Scotch drinkers. These include golf, gardening, technology, and a decent cup of coffee or two. These barrels will infuse the whisky with an amber color and tasting notes from the bourbon. The Speyburn 10 was described by the judging panel as: A fine medley of baked apple and orange on the nose. Talisker Distillers Edition vs Ardbeg An Oa. It tends to impart flavors of cold smoke and dry brush. Oban 14 Year. Start by deciding what youre looking for. The influence of peat on a whisky depends on a number of factors, among the most important are: the characteristics of the peat and the temperature at which it is burned during in the kilning process, the concentration of phenols in the malted barley expressed in parts per million, the amount of reflux (the condensation and re-distillation of spirit vapor that occurs inside the pot still), during the distillation process, the cut points that determine the heart proportion and the number of years that the whisky is aged. 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. The peat is accompanied by toffee, butterscotch, caramel, some light pickled seaweed with sesame seeds on top, nori and some more coastal aromas. Ephemeral, though my sinus are redolent with the reverberations of dark fruits for some time after swallowing. Each bottle starts the maturing process in old bourbon casks of American white oak then later ages in Oloroso sherry barrels, both of which help bring that intense color and bold flavor. I've heard good things about Bowmore, but haven't tried it myself. 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. Both Oban and Lagavulin have whiskies available at an alcohol content of 43% *86 proof), although Oban only has this strength while Lagavulin has 43% as the minimum. The tweaks and variations that go into each bottle of Scotch are intimidating, especially for bourbon and rye drinkers who may not be accustomed to the price of a whiskey thats been aged for 18 years or more. At an average price of $27, there are 14 single malts available in the collection. Time after swallowing plastic-like aroma of Orcadian peat, which is better bolder and fuller peat when compared the. 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