Lagavulin – I’m Afraid to Try It

Hello to all. This is my first post and I’m glad to be here. This is a great site and I sure have learned a lot just by reading these posts. I have recently (about 6 months) gotten into drinking Scotch. I’m really enjoying it and my normal drams are, Macallan 18-sherry wood, Balvenie 12 Doublewood and Balvenie 21 Portwood which I just bought today.

I’ve been wanting to try a Scotch with a little more of a Smokey flavor and have been thinking about the Lagavulin 16 or the Lagavulin Distiller's Edition. From the reviews I’ve read, it sound like it's pretty good. I’m a little afraid of pulling the trigger on an $85 bottle. Any recommendations?

[Superdan138]

I absolutely love this scotch...its kind of like buying butter....or having water to drink, its a necessity. If you are into scotch, then you need to have a bottle of this around at all times. I say go for it, if you dont like it, I will buy it off of you.

-Daniel

[Superdan138]

I’ve been wanting to try a Scotch with a little more of a Smokey flavor ...

Oh btw...its not a little smokey flavor...it a lot of smokey flavor. You have a beast here....but its amazing!!!

-Daniel

Well I decided to pull the trigger on the 1993 Lagavulin Distillers Edition. I must say it's pretty darn good. How does it compare to the regular Lagavulin 16?

[Superdan138]

Originally Posted by tdreis

Well I decided to pull the trigger on the 1993 Lagavulin Distillers Edition. I must say it's pretty darn good. How does it compare to the regular Lagavulin 16?

Hmmm...I got to try it. How much was it? After I buy it, I will let you know.

-Daniel

I paid $99 for the Distillers Edition. The regular Lagavulin 16 $85.99 so it seemed like a no brainer.

[jwise]

I haven't tried the DE, but the Regular Lag 16 is one of my favorites! It is my all-time favorite Islay!

[Gwhacker]

The 16 is so good that I'm almost ashamed when I'm drinking it in the presence of my wife. I find myself drawn into it's world- It demands all my attention and I can't resist giving it.
I'm a faithful man, but the 16 is my siren.

[jwise]

Originally Posted by Gwhacker

The 16 is so good that I'm almost ashamed when I'm drinking it in the presence of my wife. I find myself drawn into it's world- It demands all my attention and I can't resist giving it.
I'm a faithful man, but the 16 is my siren.

And in honor of this fine post, I will now pour myself a glass!

Love it!

[Gwhacker]

Terrific picture!
It almost looks like a shrine (how apt!)

[Superdan138]

This makes me want to pour some Laphroaig 30!!!!

-Daniel

[jwise]

Sipping on some Laphroaig Cask Strength as I type... Mmmmm....

[Superdan138]

I had to work tonight....and its too late now to drink grrrrr....maybe tomorrow during NHL Hockey Playoffs! Enjoy.

-Daniel

[oscarswanson]

Ardbeg 10 year and Laphroaig also in 10 year are both very good islay whisky's for the money.
I picked up several of each during a local holiday sale at about $35.00 each.

On another note I went crazy and found 4 bottles of Belvenie tun 1401 batch 3 sitting on a store shelf.

Bought it all, but have not opened any to try yet.
I hear it's wonderful whisky.

Cheers
Oscar

[Islay Peat]

Nice score on the Ardbeg and Laphroaig, but back to the Lagavulin, I got a bottle of Lagavulin 16 for $40 last month, and should have bought two.

[drakoskl]

Originally Posted by oscarswanson

Ardbeg 10 year and Laphroaig also in 10 year are both very good islay whisky's for the money.
I picked up several of each during a local holiday sale at about $35.00 each.

On another note I went crazy and found 4 bottles of Belvenie tun 1401 batch 3 sitting on a store shelf.

Bought it all, but have not opened any to try yet.
I hear it's wonderful whisky.

Cheers
Oscar

Would you care to trade one of your tun 3 for a tun 4?

[oscarswanson]

The only Lagavulin I have had is the 16 and I love it. It's on sale now for $62.00 and that is the lest expensive I have ever found so I picked up a few.
I will eventually try some of there others but they are all much more expensive.

Drakoski,
No, I plan on trying one of the tun #3 soon and will not make any moves until then.

Oscar

[Islay Peat]

Originally Posted by oscarswanson

The only Lagavulin I have had is the 16 and I love it. It's on sale now for $62.00 and that is the lest expensive I have ever found so I picked up a few.

Wish I could find it for that price and buy 2 or 3 bottles too.
You wouldn't care to swap a bottle of Bowmore 18 for a Lagavulin 16 would you?

[oscarswanson]

Islay,
I am brand new to this form so it may take a while to get to the point of trading or selling anything.
I'm hoping to become well versed in how this and other forums work by the time I retire as it may become one of my hobbies as guns did a while back.
Nothing like a large safe full of Scotch, guns and ammo.

Oscar

[oscarswanson]

Islay,
I noticed your from Alaska. Where abouts?
I have been there several times fishing and sight seeing.
Love the place.
I'm thinking about another visit next summer.
Salmon & Halibut. Hard to beat that.
Maybe I can stop by and and hand deliver a couple bottles.

[Islay Peat]

I'm up in the interior, but go to S.E. every year as well. If you make plans send me a PM and we'll get together for a sip.
If I can be of any help with your trip let me know.

[LostBoyScout]

The DE is quite different than the regular Lag 16. A lot of the smoke and complexity is hidden (not gone, but hidden) behind the sherry sweetness. Same goes for most of the DE's.

For a peaty option, Laphroaig Quarter Cask cannot be beat for the price. It's a good whisky at a damn near entry level price. Ardbeg 10 has the most amazing campfire nose, and a different take on the peaty flavour.

[oscarswanson]

I will put the 1/4 CASK on my list as I have read a lot of people Love it.
I happen to be sipping a Balvenie 12 D.W. at the time as i have found I need to get back to basics.
I just didn't want to be only a Islay loving person.
Oscar

[Islay Peat]

Laphroaig Quarter Cask is on my short list of bottles I need to pick up - easily different enough from the 10 year that I need both.

[BourbonDrinker]

Check out the Laphroaig 10 yr cask strength as well if you can find it.
It's not chill filtered either, so it's an education on the effects of filtration and higher alcohol concentration.

[Islay Peat]

There seems to be a lot of support for the Laphroaig Cask Strength as well, while I found the standard 10 year and the Quarter Cask versions to be more to my liking.

[oscarswanson]

Question:
Is the $62.00 price I found for the Lagavulin 16 locally a good enough price that I should get a case?
Sounds like some of you have to pay a lot more.
Maybe buy now while I can afford it and not have to worry about it when I hit retirement in a few.
Can ones taste change over time to where a once loved Scotch is now not a good?

[Jojo]

Originally Posted by oscarswanson

Question:
Is the $62.00 price I found for the Lagavulin 16 locally a good enough price that I should get a case?
Sounds like some of you have to pay a lot more.
Maybe buy now while I can afford it and not have to worry about it when I hit retirement in a few.
Can ones taste change over time to where a once loved Scotch is now not a good?

That's sounds like a really good deal. Around here, both local liquor stores with great prices has Lagavulin 16 yr for almost $90 a bottle.

[oscarswanson]

Wow.
Looks like I need a case to sit on.
I picked up my 1st Ardbeg Uigeadail today while continuing my mission to find more Tun 1401 batch 3 without luck.
I'm in the process of opening the Uggy right now.
I like the Correvrecan (spell check) very much but wanted to taste an Arbeg with some sherry influence to see if i like it.
Wow, just nosed this. I am just going to have to nose this one for the 1st half hour.
The first things I'm getting is model airplane glue and moms old ironing board.
Too Weird.

[Islay Peat]

Hope you like the Uigeadail - one of my present favorites as well.

[IslayAddict]

Oscar, how did you like the Uggy?

[Gary_R]

Give Caol Ila 12 a try as well.. only about $50..

[Islay Peat]

Both times I've tried the Caol Ila 12 it's tasted good enough, but left me feeling that something was lacking, so it'll be a preference call on that one.

I'm going to pour an Uigeadail right now.

[Gary_R]

Originally Posted by Islay Peat

Both times I've tried the Caol Ila 12 it's tasted good enough, but left me feeling that something was lacking, so it'll be a preference call on that one.

I'm going to pour an Uigeadail right now.

Well everyone is different, but either way I think its a great starting point into the smokey tasting Islays and very affordable. Its not quite as smoky as some of the other popular ones but its still there. I am fond of the peppery finish it has. I am having the Galileo At the moment

[Islay Peat]

Originally Posted by Gary_R

Well everyone is different, but either way I think its a great starting point into the smokey tasting Islays and very affordable. Its not quite as smoky as some of the other popular ones but its still there. I am fond of the peppery finish it has. I am having the Galileo At the moment

It's an excellent starting point, and much safer than some of my preferences for one who has not yet tried any of the smoky, peaty scotches.

Curious to hear what you think of the Galileo in particular since it, along with Blasda, are the two Ardbeg's that I didn't care for at all.

[Gary_R]

Originally Posted by Islay Peat

It's an excellent starting point, and much safer than some of my preferences for one who has not yet tried any of the smoky, peaty scotches.

Curious to hear what you think of the Galileo in particular since it, along with Blasda, are the two Ardbeg's that I didn't care for at all.

Overall I enjoy the Galileo, it could use a little more on the peat side but its really smooth and easy to drink. I think there are better scotches for the price point over all..
I have not had the chance to try the Blasda yet, But I liked the Corryvreckan. The only other one I tried was the Alligator..

I think im going to try some of the Japanese whiskeys next since I have been hearing great things.

[oscarswanson]

Islayaddict,
The uggy is very good. I like the Corryvreckan at least as much. It's just different without the sherry finish and higher %.
I picked up a case of each along with a case of lagavulin and more Balvenie Tun 1401 but this time its batch #6 as i can't find the #3 anymore.
I also picked up some discontinued Balvenie's along with a pile of the Balvenie 15 single cask.
I've been a buying machine lately.
Life is GOOD!!
I may have to post a picture of all this. I can't believe how much I have fallen for Scotch whisky. the stuff is flippin incredible.

[IslayAddict]

Originally Posted by oscarswanson

Islayaddict,
The uggy is very good. I like the Corryvreckan at least as much. It's just different without the sherry finish and higher %.
I picked up a case of each along with a case of lagavulin and more Balvenie Tun 1401 but this time its batch #6 as i can't find the #3 anymore.
I also picked up some discontinued Balvenie's along with a pile of the Balvenie 15 single cask.
I've been a buying machine lately.
Life is GOOD!!
I may have to post a picture of all this. I can't believe how much I have fallen for Scotch whisky. the stuff is flippin incredible.

Did you say a CASE of each? Holy cow... you're the one driving the prices up

You should move south so I don't have to drive so far when I come visit you lol

[oscarswanson]

We have a business in Ga. Covington. I don't get there very often.
I wish I did as it's still cold and ice packed here in the north.
I am waiting for the Walleye opener up here as I love to fish.

[IslayAddict]

Originally Posted by oscarswanson

We have a business in Ga. Covington. I don't get there very often.
I wish I did as it's still cold and ice packed here in the north.
I am waiting for the Walleye opener up here as I love to fish.

Well, you have all that scotch to keep you warm

[Islay Peat]

Originally Posted by Gary_R

Overall I enjoy the Galileo, it could use a little more on the peat side but its really smooth and easy to drink. I think there are better scotches for the price point over all..
I have not had the chance to try the Blasda yet, But I liked the Corryvreckan. The only other one I tried was the Alligator..

I think im going to try some of the Japanese whiskeys next since I have been hearing great things.

I guess I'll have to try the Galileo again but please tell a little more about the Corryvreckan and Alligator - maybe even in a new thread dedicated to them so that it can attract attention of those like myself who are interested in hearing more about them.