Since I've subscribed to your channel, almost 3years ago, this is number 1 whiskey I've been waiting for you to try/review on camera, glad you enjoyed it!
I paid $100, no regrets. I retired last year and bought myself a Lag 16 as my retirement bottle. (Well, one of them.) A pour of that should be described as 'an experience'. Toward the bottom of a pour, it seems to get sweeter and more complex. Maybe it's my palate adjusting to the peat.
To me, once you get used to the peat and closer to the bottom of the bottle, I start tasting an overripe blueberry kind of flavor. Never heard anybody say this in their tasting notes but I've been through 3 bottles of the stuff and I get that every time. You should check out Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength, it's around the same price (at least around these parts) and I find it more interesting than the Lagavulin 16.
I'm a whiskey rookie and have been getting into bourbon, but a friend heard me mention this scotch and bought it for my birthday. For a newbie it's a wild ride, and the smoke on this punches me in the nose. It's great, but I can't imagine something being even smokier. Thanks for the review!
Absolutely love this dram. Definitely a sherry influence. For me, the finish is unmistakably dank with dark chocolate and coffee. I just wish it were 46abv and it's also pretty expensive where I am in 🇨🇦. Cheers, Bill 🥃
Thanks to Ron Swanson, Lagavulin 16 opened a whiskey world for me beyond just a cheap booze to get wasted. I never understood why some whiskey was so much more expensive than the other until I tried Laga 16. Worth every penny. FYI it's a bourbon and sherry cask )) Fun fact: in an episode where Ron Swanson was shot in a head he drinks North Port 20, which now is a rare collectors item, since distillery was demolished in the mid 90's.
That's the info I'd been looking for! They took parks and rec off Hulu so I couldn't watch the episode and see the bottle but when they try to make him throw up he says "I'm not wasting 20 year aged scotch" and that obviously wasn't the lagavulin that he becomes known for
Loved watching you wrestle with it, Bill. It is a lovely whisky and am so glad that you've finally cracked it open. $80 USD is a good price. It's $150 in Ontario, so very steep for what it is ... but sometimes it just has to be done! :)
What you're describing with the oceanic experience isn't unlike what I've gotten on the Talisker GoT bottling. I usually describe it like having a seafood dish with a fruity, tropical salsa on a beach with jetties.
Hey Bill, congrets on your first Laga 16 sip,! Im sure youre gonna enjoy it to the fullest and pick mote than 3 tasting notes ). Look forward to the full review of the juice ...or the mothers milk , better say) chears
Glad to see this reviewed! I get sea salt and brine, lemon peel/rind/lemongrass, smokiness, and a few dashes of pork. Not the most complex but a delicious dram certainly. Thanks for another great review.
Love the Lagavulin 16. To me, it has such a unique smoke profile amongst Islays. It hits me as more of a cool cigarette smoke, as opposed to the warmer campfire/BBQ smoke you get from Ardbeg and others.
I have had many outstanding single malts but this is my favourite and I will continue to buy this expression even with the cost in Vancouver - $165.00 before tax. It's so delicious!! Classy, sentimental as a favourite and beautiful! I love the flavours on my palette!! Cheers!!
Drinking Uigaedail while watching this review and was thinking that it was a good comp to Laga16 before you mentioned it. Personal preference is Corry > Laga16 > Uigeadail. Corry is just so intense, absolutely love it. Ardbeg 10 and Laga8 are better comparisons to each other. I can go either way, depends on what I’m feeling that day. The 8 is a better value though, about $10 cheaper, and I find myself drinking more of that than Ardbeg 10 these days. My personal “stock it” Islay scotches are Lagavulin 8 and Corryvrecken.
I always get a lovely Wintergreen finish on Lagavulin 16 and I never get it in any other whiskey. Lagavulin Distillers edition is a high proof and I think you’d enjoy it greatly.
I really like this Scotch, it kind of reminds me of plastic band-aids from the 80's at first taste. but that goes away fast. I love this with a great cigar
I love the cigar ash in it, I usually pair Lagavulin 16yr with cigars too. I definitely tasted dark fruit, almost sherry notes as you said. All and all it’s one of my favorite scotches I’ve tried this far.
I just presumed that you never spoke about Lagavulin 16 because it's a bit of an obvious choice when it comes to Islay malts, but I absolutely adore this one despite that it's only 43%, chill filtered and colored. Frankly, I think the distiller's edition isn't worth the extra cost; there's a reason why I've been through 3 bottles of this stuff and only 1 of the distiller's edition.
Lagavulin 16 isn't sherry "finished", but some of it is aged/matured in sherry barrels/butts. You can kind of tell by the colo(u)r as well as the taste, although we obviously have some E150 in the mix here. Thanks Diageo.
I finally had Lagavulen 16 myself. I was very underwhelmed, but I'm not saying I disliked it. It tasted really sweet. I tasted figs, raisins, caremel, maple sugar, and smoke. For ME, sweet doesn't belong with a meaty smoke. That's why I would place other peated Scotches over this one. Lagavulen tastes like a blend of Laphroaig 10 and Macallan. Also, it tasted thin, so the finish just disappears.
Sadly the Lagavulin 16 is $100 here in Virginia. That's the only reason why I haven't had this one yet. The Laga 8 is half the price, like the age, so quite satisfying if things like that make you smile. I really enjoyed the 8 and knowing that someday I'll try the 16 only keeps building the anticipation.
Lagavulin is my favorite. To me, it's much better balanced than most other peated whiskies. Lagavulin 16 is getting hard to find where I live in Florida, though (I paid more than $100 for my last bottle; I couldn't find it anywhere except one store). Awhile back, I tried back-to-back the 16, 12, 9 (Got), and 8. I ranked them in this order: 12, 16, 9, and 8. For whatever reason, the Limited Edition 12 was even better than the 16.
Series idea: 'The Neck Pour' - a series focusing on the short, unscripted first reaction towards a whisky that you have never reviewed officially before.
Thats the concept. This was just the first. This series was originally called "First Taste". I like you're description and may work that into my recordings
I enjoyed seeing your excitement about opening the Lag 16, and that it was actually a first taste. Scotches aren’t my go-to whiskies but I enjoy the Islays. Ardbeg 10 is my favorite, but I’ve not tried a variety of them. Laphroig was too smoky for my taste. I’ve not tried any other Ardbegs or any Lagovulins. I’d appreciate any suggestions from you or your fan base.
Go back to Laphroiag. I hated it at first but now I’m like “yeah, maybe there’s some peat in there” I never though I would LOVE drinking a hospital SO MUCH.
Once you go high ABV especially peated, there’s no going back, 40-43% whiskies are a waste of time and money imo, I call them diet whiskies lol plus they tend to be chill filtered and full of e150, I just can’t do it.
@@drax14QC I drink Lagavulin 12, now that’s an amazing dram, not sure if you’ve had it and you might need to overpay online, but it’s worth every penny, buy with confidence 👍 There’s nothing wrong with say Laphroaig 10, or Lagavulin 16 if you’re just getting into peated whisky, but imo nothing goes better with peat better than high ABV like Octomore, Laphroaig CS, Aedbeg Corry
I've tasted Lagavulin 16 and even though I loved it I just can't justify paying that much for a whisky when there is Ardbeg 10 and other great whiskies that are cheaper.
just paid 157 for this , not worth it for that price at all , i regret not buying the ardbeg corryvreckan , cheaper in price and uncolored and non chill filtered .
I completely agree with you that Correyvreckan is better than Lagavulin. I personally think Lagavulin is overrated. I would take Laphroaig, Talisker or ardbeg anyday over this.
Blame Diageo. The distallate is special. Diageo does the metaphorical equivalent of taking a crap in the barrel and then bottling it by adding chill filtration, artificial color and bottling at 43% abv. This has the potential to be soooooooo much better
You have every right to complain about Lagavulin adding coloring to their 16 whiskey. That just turned me off completely and for good off the brand. I am sticking to Ardbeg.
The silence after that first sip and the expression on your face is all that needed to be said. LOL Priceless! Great video!
Since I've subscribed to your channel, almost 3years ago, this is number 1 whiskey I've been waiting for you to try/review on camera, glad you enjoyed it!
I paid $100, no regrets. I retired last year and bought myself a Lag 16 as my retirement bottle. (Well, one of them.) A pour of that should be described as 'an experience'. Toward the bottom of a pour, it seems to get sweeter and more complex. Maybe it's my palate adjusting to the peat.
Definitely gets sweeter!
To me, once you get used to the peat and closer to the bottom of the bottle, I start tasting an overripe blueberry kind of flavor. Never heard anybody say this in their tasting notes but I've been through 3 bottles of the stuff and I get that every time. You should check out Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength, it's around the same price (at least around these parts) and I find it more interesting than the Lagavulin 16.
£50 in UK. You American? You get dicked on Scotch like we do on Bourbon.
@@joeboo1983 it's gone up £20 sinse Christmas!!! Ever since that online whisky award!!!!
I'm a whiskey rookie and have been getting into bourbon, but a friend heard me mention this scotch and bought it for my birthday. For a newbie it's a wild ride, and the smoke on this punches me in the nose. It's great, but I can't imagine something being even smokier. Thanks for the review!
Absolutely love this dram. Definitely a sherry influence. For me, the finish is unmistakably dank with dark chocolate and coffee. I just wish it were 46abv and it's also pretty expensive where I am in 🇨🇦. Cheers, Bill 🥃
I thought it was it’s 43. That’s why Arhbeg as but more depth. But Lagulivan as more a citrus, dark chocolate that makes my dick hard.
Thanks to Ron Swanson, Lagavulin 16 opened a whiskey world for me beyond just a cheap booze to get wasted. I never understood why some whiskey was so much more expensive than the other until I tried Laga 16. Worth every penny. FYI it's a bourbon and sherry cask ))
Fun fact: in an episode where Ron Swanson was shot in a head he drinks North Port 20, which now is a rare collectors item, since distillery was demolished in the mid 90's.
That's the info I'd been looking for! They took parks and rec off Hulu so I couldn't watch the episode and see the bottle but when they try to make him throw up he says "I'm not wasting 20 year aged scotch" and that obviously wasn't the lagavulin that he becomes known for
Loved watching you wrestle with it, Bill. It is a lovely whisky and am so glad that you've finally cracked it open. $80 USD is a good price. It's $150 in Ontario, so very steep for what it is ... but sometimes it just has to be done! :)
Ahhh that's insane
@Kaushik Chakraborty YIKES!!!
150 Canadian or American? Either way that's pricey
What you're describing with the oceanic experience isn't unlike what I've gotten on the Talisker GoT bottling. I usually describe it like having a seafood dish with a fruity, tropical salsa on a beach with jetties.
It's oobvious that the Lagavulin 16 has sherry influence, especially when you compare it with the ex-Bourbon matured Lagavulin 12 and 8. Cheers mate!
wasn't obvious to Bill
I don't think they say it's sherry aged which is typically one of the things distillers like to push out there if they did it...🤷♂️
Hey Bill, congrets on your first Laga 16 sip,! Im sure youre gonna enjoy it to the fullest and pick mote than 3 tasting notes ). Look forward to the full review of the juice ...or the mothers milk , better say) chears
Really need to open the bottle I have had for 2 years. One of a few bottles I have sitting around been wanting to share with friends.
That moment just after first sip...
Glad to see this reviewed! I get sea salt and brine, lemon peel/rind/lemongrass, smokiness, and a few dashes of pork. Not the most complex but a delicious dram certainly. Thanks for another great review.
"....if this isn't your thing then turn away" loved that!
Love the Lagavulin 16. To me, it has such a unique smoke profile amongst Islays. It hits me as more of a cool cigarette smoke, as opposed to the warmer campfire/BBQ smoke you get from Ardbeg and others.
The Ardbeg doesn't strike me well for some reason. I much prefer Laphoraig or Lagavulin.
I have had many outstanding single malts but this is my favourite and I will continue to buy this expression even with the cost in Vancouver - $165.00 before tax. It's so delicious!! Classy, sentimental as a favourite and beautiful! I love the flavours on my palette!! Cheers!!
The first Islay whiskey I had is Lagavulin 16. I've been hooked on Islay whiskey every since. Cheers!
Very nice review! Just want to add from myself. It has very strong savoury characteristic as well, like smoked meat or sausage. Cheers! 👍🏻
I too have an unopened bottle since like December lol. After hearing your first thoughts I can't wait to get around to it soon. Cheers!
Don't sleep on this one. I definitely did
Good one! Enviable to be able to try such a classic for the first time.
Lagavulin 16 is my spirit whisky ❤
I paired this once with a Fuente Fuente Opus X cigar and it was like a match made in heaven!
Fantastic cigar
Drinking Uigaedail while watching this review and was thinking that it was a good comp to Laga16 before you mentioned it.
Personal preference is Corry > Laga16 > Uigeadail. Corry is just so intense, absolutely love it.
Ardbeg 10 and Laga8 are better comparisons to each other. I can go either way, depends on what I’m feeling that day. The 8 is a better value though, about $10 cheaper, and I find myself drinking more of that than Ardbeg 10 these days.
My personal “stock it” Islay scotches are Lagavulin 8 and Corryvrecken.
I always get a lovely Wintergreen finish on Lagavulin 16 and I never get it in any other whiskey. Lagavulin Distillers edition is a high proof and I think you’d enjoy it greatly.
I really like this Scotch, it kind of reminds me of plastic band-aids from the 80's at first taste. but that goes away fast. I love this with a great cigar
Imho Caol Ila 12 would be a much better whisky to introduce anyone to Islay peated whiskies.
Oak - For me it definitely tastes a lot like Im entering a room with polished oak furniture (wanting to cut some leather treated with vanilla oil)
It's one of my top 5
I love the cigar ash in it, I usually pair Lagavulin 16yr with cigars too. I definitely tasted dark fruit, almost sherry notes as you said. All and all it’s one of my favorite scotches I’ve tried this far.
Hi bill nice review...i got a bottle i havent opened since jan probly will open it soon...cheers
I just presumed that you never spoke about Lagavulin 16 because it's a bit of an obvious choice when it comes to Islay malts, but I absolutely adore this one despite that it's only 43%, chill filtered and colored. Frankly, I think the distiller's edition isn't worth the extra cost; there's a reason why I've been through 3 bottles of this stuff and only 1 of the distiller's edition.
I haven’t because I thought it was overpriced where I’m at but now my Ardbegs and Laphroaig CS is getting up there. Tempted to try it
Coal Ila 12 is so underrated! I could compare to that.
It's a Diageo product, so be glad it is not 40%. Profit before customer you know.
The best Islay!
Lagavulin 16 isn't sherry "finished", but some of it is aged/matured in sherry barrels/butts. You can kind of tell by the colo(u)r as well as the taste, although we obviously have some E150 in the mix here. Thanks Diageo.
Tried ardbeg10, laphroaig10, caol ila 12...this one is next on my list. Looking forward
I finally had Lagavulen 16 myself. I was very underwhelmed, but I'm not saying I disliked it. It tasted really sweet. I tasted figs, raisins, caremel, maple sugar, and smoke. For ME, sweet doesn't belong with a meaty smoke. That's why I would place other peated Scotches over this one. Lagavulen tastes like a blend of Laphroaig 10 and Macallan. Also, it tasted thin, so the finish just disappears.
should try the 11 and the 11 Guinness finish, would love to hear your thoughts
Love this one !
interesting.....prolly gonna buy it. thanks!!
Sadly the Lagavulin 16 is $100 here in Virginia. That's the only reason why I haven't had this one yet. The Laga 8 is half the price, like the age, so quite satisfying if things like that make you smile. I really enjoyed the 8 and knowing that someday I'll try the 16 only keeps building the anticipation.
Lagavulin is my favorite. To me, it's much better balanced than most other peated whiskies. Lagavulin 16 is getting hard to find where I live in Florida, though (I paid more than $100 for my last bottle; I couldn't find it anywhere except one store). Awhile back, I tried back-to-back the 16, 12, 9 (Got), and 8. I ranked them in this order: 12, 16, 9, and 8. For whatever reason, the Limited Edition 12 was even better than the 16.
I always come back to Lagavulin 16! It's extraordinarily delicious! Even at $165 in Vancouver it's worth every penny!!
i found a bottle for i think 56€ in France (Carrefour). an absolute steal at this price.
For sure! Hopefully you liked it
Crazy you did this cause I’ve been drinking Islays lately!
Wow? Not sure how you never got around to this before now? I'm off Diageo products, but Lagavulin 16 was a "go to" for many years. Enjoy.
I would love to get your take on Lagavulin's Distiller's Edition. Cheers.
This would have the sherry influence he was looking for, even better than the 16 imo.
@@andymofoincross I agree. It's my favorite Islay single Malt.
Damn it... maybe ill pick it up today
Series idea: 'The Neck Pour' - a series focusing on the short, unscripted first reaction towards a whisky that you have never reviewed officially before.
Thats the concept. This was just the first. This series was originally called "First Taste". I like you're description and may work that into my recordings
I enjoyed seeing your excitement about opening the Lag 16, and that it was actually a first taste. Scotches aren’t my go-to whiskies but I enjoy the Islays. Ardbeg 10 is my favorite, but I’ve not tried a variety of them. Laphroig was too smoky for my taste. I’ve not tried any other Ardbegs or any Lagovulins. I’d appreciate any suggestions from you or your fan base.
Have you tried anything from Bruichladdich? Specifically the teal colored classic laddie?
Go back to Laphroiag. I hated it at first but now I’m like “yeah, maybe there’s some peat in there”
I never though I would LOVE drinking a hospital SO MUCH.
Highland Park 12 or 18 is also a good introduction to peat/smoke without being punched in the face with it…..
Sipping along with you its sublime
Once you go high ABV especially peated, there’s no going back, 40-43% whiskies are a waste of time and money imo, I call them diet whiskies lol plus they tend to be chill filtered and full of e150, I just can’t do it.
So do you include Lagavulin 16 in this category ? Cause it’s 43% ABV and colour added unfortunately.. (and chill filtered also)
Lagavulin 16 is disappointing that it's not higher ABV but it IS good
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary one I HAVE to taste eventually ! Juste like Laphroaig Ten and Quarter Cask 💨 🥃
@@drax14QC I drink Lagavulin 12, now that’s an amazing dram, not sure if you’ve had it and you might need to overpay online, but it’s worth every penny, buy with confidence 👍 There’s nothing wrong with say Laphroaig 10, or Lagavulin 16 if you’re just getting into peated whisky, but imo nothing goes better with peat better than high ABV like Octomore, Laphroaig CS, Aedbeg Corry
Ardbeg is oily salty sea water
Laphroaig is medicinal iodine wind
Lagavulin is a bonfire, ash and barbecue
Do you get that minty note it in when the flavors envold at the end of that I always get that minty note.
Not yet, but maybe eventually
My favorite scotch! I love me some peat!
This is my number 1 Whisky with a “y” and not an “ey”. Not sure which is my number one with an “ey” though 🤔 maybe Bushmills 21yr?
Scotlands Bottle of WOW
Samoookey is key to love
Agree completely
I've tasted Lagavulin 16 and even though I loved it I just can't justify paying that much for a whisky when there is Ardbeg 10 and other great whiskies that are cheaper.
Great review.. You are so natural
Thanks! I've been doing this for a while :)
Good thing I didn’t try Lagavulin 16 in college. This is one whiskey that’d be horrendous coming back up.
True story
just paid 157 for this , not worth it for that price at all , i regret not buying the ardbeg corryvreckan , cheaper in price and uncolored and non chill filtered .
Great whiskey but I do prefer the brineiness of Caol Ila.
It's only $107 and above in PA.... Which is why I've never tried it. Wish I could though.
He's missing a plate of TURF AND TURF!!!
I could go for some turf and turf right about now
Or a #8 PARTY PLATTER!!!
You gotta take the drive up to NH to get this for $75ish.
If you like the 8 you'll love the 16....
F’in finally!
I describe Laphroaig as a punch in your face type of Islay, where as Lagavulin is a feather tickle. 😂🤣
Chill filtered and artificial coloring.
I was given a bottle for Christmas. Holding off a while to try it as I am not a fan of peated Scotch.
It's not as smokey as many others, but it's definitely peated. Hope you enjoy it
LAGA LOVE IT .. THE 16 YEAR HAS DISCONTINUED LAST I HEARD OR IS ABOUT TO GET DISCONTINUED!
I always get a lot of grass jelly nose from this whisky hahaha.
Video starts at 4:30. Bunch of nothing before that. You're welcome.
Solid review... and yes, Ron Swanson is right.
Price is now ridicolous...
For sure
Dude it tastes like a saltwater peat bog caught on fire.
Best damn whisky in the world!
Good but only three notes. Lol it's the Nirvana of Scotch.
Just a first taste, I didn't have much time with it. Ended up doing a longer episode
A lot of peat/smoke at the nose. The taste is like ..an ashtray.
Wait until you try Laphroaig. 😂
This is mild stuff compared to that. I myself love peat though.
I completely agree with you that Correyvreckan is better than Lagavulin. I personally think Lagavulin is overrated. I would take Laphroaig, Talisker or ardbeg anyday over this.
Blame Diageo. The distallate is special. Diageo does the metaphorical equivalent of taking a crap in the barrel and then bottling it by adding chill filtration, artificial color and bottling at 43% abv. This has the potential to be soooooooo much better
You have every right to complain about Lagavulin adding coloring to their 16 whiskey. That just turned me off completely and for good off the brand. I am sticking to Ardbeg.
More for me thanks. 👍
100%. And people downvoting you should be ashamed. Keep telling the truth.