Lagavulin 16 - a place no speyside lover should go.

[Dr. Spencer]

I am drinking Lag 16, for the first time, and the smokey nose ruins it for me. I love nosing Balvenies and old 'Livets and old 'Fiddichs: their sweet beautiful aromas portend great palates. Now I know why the experts say Lag is not for novices. The nose is so off-putting I can't enjoy what is a pretty decent palate. The aftertaste leaves that nasty smoke taste in my mouth.

At the risk of incurring your scorn, I look forward to finishing this dram so I can cleanse my palate with some Glenlivet 18. I should 've bought another bottle of Nadurra Triumph or HP 18.

Can someone explain why so many "afficianados" are so enamored with this?

[jwise]

Ahhh... Lag 16! Here's a snippet of something I wrote while enjoying the venerable 16yr:

"I am sitting by the campfire, I have finished a wonderful spiced apple cobbler. The flavors are still on my tongue as I pull back on a maduro cigar. I am downwind, catching a face full of smoke (both from the fire and from the cigar). This whisky encapsulates this experience for me, which brings me to a place where happiness ensues. If you don't like campfires, smoking cigars, spiced apple cobbler, or whisky, then stay away from Lagavulin 16yr!"

[Dr. Spencer]

Originally Posted by jwise

Ahhh... Lag 16! Here's a snippet of something I wrote while enjoying the venerable 16yr:

"I am sitting by the campfire, I have finished a wonderful spiced apple cobbler. The flavors are still on my tongue as I pull back on a maduro cigar. I am downwind, catching a face full of smoke (both from the fire and from the cigar). This whisky encapsulates this experience for me, which brings me to a place where happiness ensues. If you don't like campfires, smoking cigars, spiced apple cobbler, or whisky, then stay away from Lagavulin 16yr!"

That's it! Everyone loves this stuff, but I'm done. Too much smoke. I tasted smoke in my mouth in the morning after a thorough brush and Glenlivet 18. I'll stick to my Balvenie 21 - thank you. And yes, I don't smoke cigars and I like campfires that I can walk away from. I love whisky - but not this variety.

BTW-What are the other "smoky" scotches so I know what to avoid?

[505Gibbs]

As with so many subjective things one mans' 10 is another mans' 2!!
I'd stay away from Laphroaig, Ardbeg and perhaps even Bowmore.

[jwise]

If it says "Islay" on the bottle, stay AWAY! Leave them for US!

[blenderm]

Agreed, don't try any of the Islays or Islands [Talisker, Highland Park]. There are a couple of light peated Speyside/Highland malts that might not offend. Possibly try Ardmore if you want to try a light [non Islay] peated style

[Goodfella]

I remember my first taste of Laphroaig.... I almost spit it out. I could not believe people like it. It tasted like medicine. But I knew people drink it for a reason... I kept trying.... I put it away, and pulled it back out about 5 different time. One day it was like POW... seems like it was overnight I had aquired a taste for it. I now love Laphroaig!!! Some people would have called me crazy for giving it that many chances, but Im glad I did.

[Dr. Spencer]

Originally Posted by blenderm

Agreed, don't try any of the Islays or Islands [Talisker, Highland Park]. There are a couple of light peated Speyside/Highland malts that might not offend. Possibly try Ardmore if you want to try a light [non Islay] peated style

Thanks. I like HP 18, but that is just a bare whiff of smoke compared to Lag. I'll steer clear of the Islays

[Dr. Spencer]

Originally Posted by jwise

If it says "Islay" on the bottle, stay AWAY! Leave them for US!

No prob. Interestingly, it sells quickly at the Bevmos and Total Wine.

[Dr. Spencer]

Originally Posted by Goodfella

I remember my first taste of Laphroaig.... I almost spit it out. I could not believe people like it. It tasted like medicine. But I knew people drink it for a reason... I kept trying.... I put it away, and pulled it back out about 5 different time. One day it was like POW... seems like it was overnight I had aquired a taste for it. I now love Laphroaig!!! Some people would have called me crazy for giving it that many chances, but Im glad I did.

I was grossed out by the nose and finish and interminable aftertaste. But I can say I tried it.

[blenderm]

I remember an advertising campaign sometime in the 1990's that said the difference between hating and loving Laphroaig was half way down the bottle so never say never you may come to like Islays

[dirtysnkrs]

Quick rundown of Islay (South shore anyway, is there really anything else on Islay?):

Laphroaig 10 yr: by far the best "cheap" whisky; wonderful and savory
Ardbeg 10 yr: disappointing, too compromised between boldness and smoothness; will drink mainly when I'm out of Laph 10 yr
Laph Quarter Cask: supremely savory, pleasingly sweet, great daily
Ardbeg Uigeadail: Wonderful, best yet (vs above). just as savory as the Laph QC, not as sweet but bigger, and more complex like Lagavulin
Laph Cask Strength: very rich, very strong, very spicy. Not as smooth or enjoyable as Laph QC, though arguably more complex. But the hotness detracts from the overall drinkability. This is not a whisky I would have 6 drams of in a row. Laph QC; I would.
Ardbeg Supernova 2010: HUGE, in every way. Takes Uigeadail to the next level, above and beyond any of the Laphroaig noted above. Quite spicy on the finish, but the body and palate are so astonishingly savory that it really comes off well rounded. Especially noteworthy since this is the strongest Islay I've seen; at 60% alcohol, or 120 proof. Oughta be good, at $200 a bottle :-)

I'd tell ya the Supernova has smoke for days, but really any of the above do. Kinda like garlic, you will taste these in the morning, even after you brush your teeth. Love it or hate it... love it here!

[dirtysnkrs]

a month later... the Laphroaig cask strength has become my favorite Laphroaig. Extremely well rounded, crazy intense at every level, gives the ardbeg Uigeadail and Supernova a run for the money. I think the Supernova still comes out on top, but the Uigeadail slips to third place.