Not that I'm setting up new home box by box, sipping some whisky and going through your extremely epic Lagavulin reviews, but...where else can one find comparisons like this? Nowhere, thats where.
I gotta start drinking more lagavulin. I’ve only ever had the 16 and absolutely love it. Someone just bought be the 8 as a gift so looking forward to that too, but need to broaden my lagavulin horizons.
It’s a difficult distillery to explore. They have three regularly available offerings that you mentioned above and every year the annual 12 year comes out but even that’s difficult to get these days… but it is rewarding 😉
Epic! Your love for lag influenced me to pick up some 2014/15 FI. Now it looks like the wallet is going to be a lot lighter because now apparently I need the 25 as well. Keep up the great work. And oh yea, always more campbeltown!
Never got a full bottle but I have had the 37 year (SR2013) a couple of times and for me it is peak Lagavulin bottled this century. I will not feel at ease until Mike has tried it!!
I need that one and the 21 year from 1985. Those two plus the 25 and the 2013 Jazz alone with the 2014 Feis Ila will be a great comparison review. 🤷🏻♂️
Interesting comparison...We talked about it with Dustin in Ken's channel's chat already, so won't be too long. I first struggled with that 2016 release in a show, but months after, poured blind at a friend & then later on a face to face comparison with 2 other aged Lagavulins it really shined & convinced me it was one of the best Lagavulin ever bottled in our time. I'm not sure about which Laga 18 yo Jazz Festival I tried, but I wasn't impressed by it, so maybe it was another one (besides I had too few of it, so not best conditions to enjoy it). Looking forward to open my sample of that 2012 release of the 21 yo, but I'm waiting for the right moment...One 1991 bottling is missing in this video imho, one I enjoy a lot (ok I know it is only bottled at 43 %, honestly at 53 % it would have been a stunner) and it is the 1991 Distiller's Edition, but sure, abv wise, it wouldn't have been fair for it to compare it with your 20 yo + legends. Cheers !
Regarding the 25 year. I, too, didn’t give this one it’s proper respect. Coming into this review I expected it to finish last. I assumed the 2015 FI would have been my favorite, followed by the 21 but 🤷🏻♂️ that’s why you compare. I’ve reviewed both Feis Ila 18’s. The 2016 was better then the 2018 in my opinion. Yes, there were some incredible DE in the 90’s but 43% wasn’t making this list 😉
@@topshelfwhisky I understand that, and sure I'd like Diageo to make it sometimes a special release at CS, it could be great....but they won't do that I think
The best Lagavulin I've ever bought was the 1998 Distillers Edition and I thought that was great. You can hardly even find the standard 16 yr anymore. Time to explore the next level for me. Great review.
💥 Epic review guys! A great vintage indeed - love the 25 and the 24. Not had the newer 21 but clearly I need to find it. Have you ever tried the 1991 single cask?
Wowwwww what a great Lagavulin showdown! This is like the reviews of all reviews right here (for us peat heads at least...lol)! Quick question for you Mike. I found a Lagavulin 25 yr (bottled in 2002) and I'm debating on whether or not to buy it. I too am a BIG Lagavulin fan and will probably buy it either way. But have you heard anything about Lagavulin distillate from the 70's? Thank you
You're not the first person to ask that recently, California? I believe that is the 1977 or 1976 vintage but I've never tired that one. WhiskyBase.com is a good resource for a quick check but i would imagine It's a bottle I would purchase.
@@topshelfwhisky thank you for your time and thoughts Mike. I did check Whiskybase and found a lot of good reviews on this 2002 bottling. I actually found this bottle on a Italian website. I've bought a lot from them and I'm very pleased with their shop/service. They sent a picture of the bottle to me and I noticed that the fill level is a little bit above the shoulder. I'm assuming that this is from 20 yrs of being unopened. The seal and stickers are all intact. Should I be concerned? They're asking $2,242 for it.
@@topshelfwhisky Thank you for the reassurance Mike. I figured that a little evaporation would be ok for a 20 yr old bottling. The fact that it's distillate from 1977 or 76 far outweighs a little evaporation. I can't wait to try it! Thanks again for all your help, cheers!
Thr prices I quoted for the epic bottles I was going to buy have gone up...Perhaps someone informed him how ridiculous the prices are but I can still get the 2002 Lagavulin 25 year for $350...Should I pull the trigger on that? It cant be that much worse than these bottles right?
That’s a great price in my opinion. I would guess that bottle is worth 10 times that amount. Sadly, I’ve never tried or even seen that bottle in person… I would take that deal
Lagavulin is going to bottle a 30 year old distilled in 1991 in next few months. With just 318 bottles, I guess it’s gonna be pretty difficult to get. Especially when you know it’s sherry matured!!!
"You, more than us." Disgraceful. Great side by side and nobody watching is likely to have any reference. WTF do you guys do for a living? I can kind of imagine what these puppies taste like. Lag 16, which gets a lot of disrespect in our community but I think is excellent (but toned down) is a kind of reference here as Mike suggested. Lagavulin sherry and smoke is soooo good. I'm not buying this stuff but I can imagine what they taste like. cheers guys. WT
Lagavulin 16 was the whisky that started the journey of me becoming a scotch addict. It’s 43%, chill filtered and colored but the core of what I love about the distillery is there. Meaty smoke and wonderful sherry. Many of the one off Jazz Fest or Feis Ila bottles often don’t remind me what I originally loved about the 16-year-old but these special bottles, they take it to a place I had not dreamed possible. It’s a terrible guilty pleasure, this distillery in these rare special bottlings but I just have never been able to help myself… Regarding my day job. I’ve always been a people person so sales was always a natural fit for me. I’ve been advertising and finance but in general I’m just the grease that helps move the gears of society.
@@topshelfwhisky Nice one Mike. I think my folk think I'm a millionaire too just because of the whisky. I fell out of love with Lag 16 as a novice because of the abv and all that. Today I understand why Diageo do it that way for sales. However, I'm on record, of late, saying how well a made whisky it is. The integration is perfect and it's a delicious dram. Experienced drinkers like us would like the abv ramped up but that would inevitably mean a massive price increase.
@@welshtoro3256 yes, if people judge me by my whisky collection I’m pretty sure they would be disappointed with how pedestrian the rest of my existence is. 🤣🤣🤣
@@topshelfdustin3060 I was able to get several other items from an old man who needed money like JDSBBPRye and SB 21 all for good prices but I will likely keep or drink those=)
@@topshelfdustin3060 I will be perfectly honest that I have way more bottles than I can drink in my lifetime lol so I may sell one when I am in retirement too=(
Not that I'm setting up new home box by box, sipping some whisky and going through your extremely epic Lagavulin reviews, but...where else can one find comparisons like this? Nowhere, thats where.
this was a fun review. It really showcased how good the 25 is.
congratulations on the new home!
@23:45 Usually that would be McDonald’s meals and ice cream, guys. Great episode.. Thank you, boys.
I gotta start drinking more lagavulin. I’ve only ever had the 16 and absolutely love it. Someone just bought be the 8 as a gift so looking forward to that too, but need to broaden my lagavulin horizons.
It’s a difficult distillery to explore. They have three regularly available offerings that you mentioned above and every year the annual 12 year comes out but even that’s difficult to get these days… but it is rewarding 😉
@@topshelfwhisky if I ever see something different I may have to pull the trigger. Cheers!
Fantastic video! Also great video quality!
I always really enjoy when you guys do Lagavulin videos.
Epic video guys. Thanks again for all your hard work.
Always love your videos brother!!! You guys do a great job breaking down all the flavors/taste...Keep up the good work Mike...
Thanks buddy
Of those 3 I’ve only had the 25, but it’s truly fantastic
A perfect Islay whisky that 25 year.
Words cannot express how epic this video was! Cheers boys!
We did a lot of meh, videos for the summer lul....we had to spice it up!
Send me the 37 year so we can do this right 🤣🤣🤣
@@topshelfdustin3060 all your reviews are epic bro!
@@topshelfwhisky Lmaoooooooooooooooooooo
@@caseygoldberg8519 thanks casey!
Epic! Your love for lag influenced me to pick up some 2014/15 FI. Now it looks like the wallet is going to be a lot lighter because now apparently I need the 25 as well. Keep up the great work. And oh yea, always more campbeltown!
The 2014 and 2015 Feis Ila were magic!
Never got a full bottle but I have had the 37 year (SR2013) a couple of times and for me it is peak Lagavulin bottled this century. I will not feel at ease until Mike has tried it!!
I need that one and the 21 year from 1985. Those two plus the 25 and the 2013 Jazz alone with the 2014 Feis Ila will be a great comparison review. 🤷🏻♂️
Interesting comparison...We talked about it with Dustin in Ken's channel's chat already, so won't be too long. I first struggled with that 2016 release in a show, but months after, poured blind at a friend & then later on a face to face comparison with 2 other aged Lagavulins it really shined & convinced me it was one of the best Lagavulin ever bottled in our time. I'm not sure about which Laga 18 yo Jazz Festival I tried, but I wasn't impressed by it, so maybe it was another one (besides I had too few of it, so not best conditions to enjoy it). Looking forward to open my sample of that 2012 release of the 21 yo, but I'm waiting for the right moment...One 1991 bottling is missing in this video imho, one I enjoy a lot (ok I know it is only bottled at 43 %, honestly at 53 % it would have been a stunner) and it is the 1991 Distiller's Edition, but sure, abv wise, it wouldn't have been fair for it to compare it with your 20 yo + legends. Cheers !
Regarding the 25 year. I, too, didn’t give this one it’s proper respect. Coming into this review I expected it to finish last. I assumed the 2015 FI would have been my favorite, followed by the 21 but 🤷🏻♂️ that’s why you compare.
I’ve reviewed both Feis Ila 18’s. The 2016 was better then the 2018 in my opinion.
Yes, there were some incredible DE in the 90’s but 43% wasn’t making this list 😉
@@topshelfwhisky I understand that, and sure I'd like Diageo to make it sometimes a special release at CS, it could be great....but they won't do that I think
The best Lagavulin I've ever bought was the 1998 Distillers Edition and I thought that was great. You can hardly even find the standard 16 yr anymore. Time to explore the next level for me. Great review.
With the age of these Scotches and how little is left in those bottles should they be transferred to smaller bottles or should they be gassed?
The 25 probably. Hard to notice any lose but when I open the next one I’m sure it will be interesting.
perfect vertical #dothelaga the 21 still my fAVE
All great ones.
💥 Epic review guys! A great vintage indeed - love the 25 and the 24. Not had the newer 21 but clearly I need to find it. Have you ever tried the 1991 single cask?
I was sent a sample of that one. 28 year old I believe. Another great one from 1991
Wowwwww what a great Lagavulin showdown! This is like the reviews of all reviews right here (for us peat heads at least...lol)! Quick question for you Mike. I found a Lagavulin 25 yr (bottled in 2002) and I'm debating on whether or not to buy it. I too am a BIG Lagavulin fan and will probably buy it either way. But have you heard anything about Lagavulin distillate from the 70's? Thank you
You're not the first person to ask that recently, California? I believe that is the 1977 or 1976 vintage but I've never tired that one. WhiskyBase.com is a good resource for a quick check but i would imagine It's a bottle I would purchase.
@@topshelfwhisky thank you for your time and thoughts Mike. I did check Whiskybase and found a lot of good reviews on this 2002 bottling. I actually found this bottle on a Italian website. I've bought a lot from them and I'm very pleased with their shop/service. They sent a picture of the bottle to me and I noticed that the fill level is a little bit above the shoulder. I'm assuming that this is from 20 yrs of being unopened. The seal and stickers are all intact. Should I be concerned? They're asking $2,242 for it.
@@topshelfwhisky I just double checked the fill level. It's more like halfway between the neck and the shoulder of the bottle.
@@jeffreykasel3387 A reduce fill level doesn’t shock me. Norward would it dissuade me from purchasing assuming the seal and cork seem intact.
@@topshelfwhisky Thank you for the reassurance Mike. I figured that a little evaporation would be ok for a 20 yr old bottling. The fact that it's distillate from 1977 or 76 far outweighs a little evaporation. I can't wait to try it! Thanks again for all your help, cheers!
By the way How much is the highland park25 (45.7% bottle )recently? 🤔🤔
I believe the current 25 is up to 46% but sadly it's pushing a grand.
@@topshelfwhisky I just found a bottle of Highland park 25 years (45.7%) at the store for 500USD this price is good?
@@米豆專家 that is a good price imo
You guys are giving me a Heart attack
Thr prices I quoted for the epic bottles I was going to buy have gone up...Perhaps someone informed him how ridiculous the prices are but I can still get the 2002 Lagavulin 25 year for $350...Should I pull the trigger on that? It cant be that much worse than these bottles right?
That’s a great price in my opinion. I would guess that bottle is worth 10 times that amount. Sadly, I’ve never tried or even seen that bottle in person… I would take that deal
@@topshelfwhisky Haha I think someone may be watching my comments...I can let you know what happens after I actually obtain the bottles
Lagavulin is going to bottle a 30 year old distilled in 1991 in next few months. With just 318 bottles, I guess it’s gonna be pretty difficult to get. Especially when you know it’s sherry matured!!!
🙄🙄 you know I want that
Maybe the biggest, yet nicest, disagreement ever. Mike doesn't think the 25 year here is a sherry BOMB and I stand firm, it is! Who's right :) ?
You guys should have blinded these to be fair
@@royn8032 doesn't really change much lol
"You, more than us." Disgraceful. Great side by side and nobody watching is likely to have any reference. WTF do you guys do for a living? I can kind of imagine what these puppies taste like. Lag 16, which gets a lot of disrespect in our community but I think is excellent (but toned down) is a kind of reference here as Mike suggested. Lagavulin sherry and smoke is soooo good. I'm not buying this stuff but I can imagine what they taste like. cheers guys. WT
Lagavulin 16 was the whisky that started the journey of me becoming a scotch addict. It’s 43%, chill filtered and colored but the core of what I love about the distillery is there. Meaty smoke and wonderful sherry. Many of the one off Jazz Fest or Feis Ila bottles often don’t remind me what I originally loved about the 16-year-old but these special bottles, they take it to a place I had not dreamed possible. It’s a terrible guilty pleasure, this distillery in these rare special bottlings but I just have never been able to help myself…
Regarding my day job. I’ve always been a people person so sales was always a natural fit for me. I’ve been advertising and finance but in general I’m just the grease that helps move the gears of society.
@@topshelfwhisky Thanks for what you do Mike....How can we email you?
@@topshelfwhisky Nice one Mike. I think my folk think I'm a millionaire too just because of the whisky. I fell out of love with Lag 16 as a novice because of the abv and all that. Today I understand why Diageo do it that way for sales. However, I'm on record, of late, saying how well a made whisky it is. The integration is perfect and it's a delicious dram. Experienced drinkers like us would like the abv ramped up but that would inevitably mean a massive price increase.
@@welshtoro3256 yes, if people judge me by my whisky collection I’m pretty sure they would be disappointed with how pedestrian the rest of my existence is. 🤣🤣🤣
@@royn8032 the link on the about us will do the trick
I was able to get a bottle of 21 year 1985 and Highland Park 48.1% in case you guys are interested...I sent you an email=)
that's one EPIC haul!
@@topshelfdustin3060 I was able to get several other items from an old man who needed money like JDSBBPRye and SB 21 all for good prices but I will likely keep or drink those=)
My suggestion would be to try and find a very old person who drinks scotch but does not do internet lol
@@royn8032 lmfao, can't imagine having a lag 21 1985 just laying around...wow.
@@topshelfdustin3060 I will be perfectly honest that I have way more bottles than I can drink in my lifetime lol so I may sell one when I am in retirement too=(