I definitely got the heavy smoke on the nose but for me that sweetness hit immediately on the first sip. The wine cask taste does evolve with each sip. I’m really enjoying this bottle ❤
Love that pour. This was my first Islay purchase, and I have zero regrets on that. I recently purchased the 8 yr Lagavulin as well, and that doesn't disappoint at all. I will be grabbing an Offerman every year going forward. Cheers
Big fan of Islay single malts. Love the 16, but finally picked this up and tried it. Enjoyed it as well. I did try a Smokey Cokey as a New Year's Eve drink this year with the 16. I didn't want to like it, but I actually did. That said, I don't normally mix a nice single malt with anything at all. If you haven't tried one, do it. You don't actually have to tell anyone.
100% agree with you on the Offerman releases > Ardbeg Committee Releases!!! Last year’s Guiness cask finish was amazing! Can’t wait to get a bottle of this year’s edition.
Bourbon man myself, purchased a bottle of the lasanta before and I didn’t like it, but this one, it’s hitting me different and I’m excited to try more scotch!
I tried this at Whiskey In the Winter in St Louis two weeks ago. I dont have a palate for peated scotches, so to me it tasted like.... so take an ash tray full of ashes and cigarette butts, it rains enough to fill it with rain water, and then it sits out in the hot summer sun long enough to evaporate half the water, but right before you suck out the remainder with a straw, some dude dip spits into it lol
Peated scotch isn’t for everyone. As a lifelong scotch drinker the Islay scotches are too overwhelming. The exception might be the Bunnahabhain 12. My first taste was an Ardbeg 10. Not for me.
My first taste of peat (Laga 16) I thought it tasted like a smoked turkey and caramel sauce, but now I hardly taste the smoke at all 😂 I was drinking a peated rye whiskey blind and didn’t even realize it was peated
I’m typically a laphroaig 10 guy, I just bought a bottle of the offerman 11. You definitely hit the nail on the head with the exception I don’t find it all that Smokey. Good review though.
Here's hoping these make their way to Ontario. Great review, Jason. Tbh, it is probably difficult to mess up a Lagavulin, so Offerman picked a good distillery to adopt. Cheers from 🇨🇦
Couldn't seem to nab one of these in Dayton:( But I'll be moving up to Columbus next year, so I'm hoping there will be more opportunity to find these limited releases in my future!
I'm actually drinking this right now. I just got it to and it is my first taste of Lagavulin ever. It's incredibly smokey. I may not be getting all the fruits but my in pallette may not be as complex as yours is. Still, it's worth the price and really good.
Already picked up a backup of the Charred Cask, didn't realize it was fully matured. Skipped the Guinness but might need to locate one while still around. Wasn't a fan of the 8yo but the abv on these N.O.E. really boosts the lack of punch of the 16yo.
This one is way better than last year's and is quite good. I just think the 8 is still the best one they offer, minus maybe the 12 CS or Distiller's Edition. For the lowest price, and a respectable 48% abv, I think the 8 is great in value, and flavor. As the 16 gets to $100+, it gets harder to defend.
Lots of people preferred the Guinness cask one, and I did too at first. The charred oak has a lot of smoke to fight through at first, but it needs some time to settle down and open up. Excellent stuff.
Solid review! Picked one up tonight on a whim based on the charred oak reference before watching this review. Excited to try it out based on your review!
My first peated was a BenRiach Heredotus Fumosus (PX sherry finished). Been hooked ever since. Since then, the 2018 12-year cask strength Lagavulin and the Ardbeg Dark Cove have been my all-time favorites. I like this one a lot, it is Lagavulin after all, but doesn't quite have the specialness of the cask strengths. I just got the new Lagavulin 12-year expression, the Phoenix bottle. That'll be a Christmas pour! Love the content, keep it up!
Maybe it's because Offerman is actually involved with the brand rather than another celebrity sourcing from the same 3 places trying to make a buck that his whisky is living up to the price. He's got good presentation in terms of ABV and age statement. Most celebrities go bourbon and if there's no cask finish, how different can it be if they all do 2-5 year old bourbon and charge a premium because their name is on it.
I’m not generally a fan of peated scotches (I prefer the Speysides like Glendronach, Glenfarclas and Arran), but they hooked me with the Nick Offerman marketing gimmick. Of his three offerings, this one’s my favorite, and the only one I ended up buying a second bottle to drink.
J, great review and great call-out on Ardbeg CR's not being worth the $$$. Generally I prefer Ardbeg's core range to Lagavulins, but these Offermans seem to be decent value. My favorite for the $$ is Laphroaig 10 CS and their Cairdeas releases. Cheers! and be nice to the Grinch... he's just green with envy...
This was a strange pour for me. The front palate was almost cooling with red berries and a light amount of peat and then mid and finish were a face smack of peat and ash. I have not had an experience like that before.
I agree that this is a better value than the Ardbeg committee releases. The Ardbeg releases cost 2x more where I am from and I would say hands down this one beats Scorch, which was a similar concept/production
We absolutely love this too. Offerman is a national treasure to boot. So happy we found a bottle of this for 80 and will 100% grab another at 90-100 or less. Big fans here!
For sure the Ardbeg Committee releases have been several let downs in a row. But I think you missed another relevant comparison - the last two Special Edition 2021 Lions Fire and 2022 Phoenix Fire. Those are 12 years old and unfiltered/uncolored at higher proofs. Worth a look if you have the $.
I've enjoyed all three releases as well, and agree regarding Ardbeg. At one time Ardbeg was my favorite distillery but I think they jumped the shark a dozen or so years ago and have sadly gone further in that direction with all these NAS releases with very silly names, and exorbitant prices.
I’m a big peat head and I’ve tried this Lagavulin Offerman thrice now and I’m just not a huge fan. It’s good, but it doesn’t hit for me. I can grab Laphroaig Lore for around the same price and for me that’s leagues better. That said, all of my friends who have been into peated scotch longer love this Offerman so I think it’s just me 🤷🏻♂️
I tried a glass from my buddy and it was pretty good, I actually thought it was on the lighter side of the peat and smoke with just vanilla and caramel. I think I'd rather just get the 16 year for $10 more and for sure would grab the Distillers Edition over this as it has so much more peat taste and is double matured in ex Pedro Ximenez and it just has so much dark fruits with that amazing peat smoke and umami flavor
The nose reminds me of latakia. If you smoke pipe tobacco, smoke some Ten Russian's or Maltese Falcon when you drink this and tell me it does not compliment each other.
HOW!? It taste like rubbing alcohol. I keep trying more but every time It so ruff. Man. I don't get this. I love Whisky but this stuff is RUFF. I will stick to my American Whisky brands.
Sadly overpriced for what you got at $140 I think it was in Florida - however as the Offermans don't come to Sweden I couldnt pass it up. It was tasty as most if not all Lagavulins are - but not warranting the price point in my own humble opininon.
Its chill filtered and nowhere on the box or bottle does it say natural color or no color added. Its missing depth and above $80 diageo marketing habe brainwashed so many. Ardbeg, kilchoman, bruichladdie, all kick this Islay's ass
I definitely got the heavy smoke on the nose but for me that sweetness hit immediately on the first sip. The wine cask taste does evolve with each sip. I’m really enjoying this bottle ❤
Interesting, I literally only got smoke on this one. I enjoy Laphroaig 10 and Ardbeg 10, but this one was so smoky I couldn't get anything else.
Love that pour. This was my first Islay purchase, and I have zero regrets on that. I recently purchased the 8 yr Lagavulin as well, and that doesn't disappoint at all. I will be grabbing an Offerman every year going forward. Cheers
Just got a bottle. Absolutely outstanding. As a huge Islay fan I am loving this. So good.
First peated I had was Corryvreckan. I was instantly hooked.
I agree. Corryvreckan is my fav.
Love the scotch reviews, keep them coming please! Cant wait to try this bottle.
My friend gifted me one of these for my wedding a couple months ago. Can’t wait to break it open!
Another fine review. I liked this bottling enough that I bought a back-up for the bunker.
Big fan of Islay single malts. Love the 16, but finally picked this up and tried it. Enjoyed it as well. I did try a Smokey Cokey as a New Year's Eve drink this year with the 16. I didn't want to like it, but I actually did. That said, I don't normally mix a nice single malt with anything at all. If you haven't tried one, do it. You don't actually have to tell anyone.
100% agree with you on the Offerman releases > Ardbeg Committee Releases!!! Last year’s Guiness cask finish was amazing! Can’t wait to get a bottle of this year’s edition.
Bourbon man myself, purchased a bottle of the lasanta before and I didn’t like it, but this one, it’s hitting me different and I’m excited to try more scotch!
Saw two on shelf today. Will pick one up.
I tried this at Whiskey In the Winter in St Louis two weeks ago. I dont have a palate for peated scotches, so to me it tasted like.... so take an ash tray full of ashes and cigarette butts, it rains enough to fill it with rain water, and then it sits out in the hot summer sun long enough to evaporate half the water, but right before you suck out the remainder with a straw, some dude dip spits into it lol
Peated scotch isn’t for everyone. As a lifelong scotch drinker the Islay scotches are too overwhelming. The exception might be the Bunnahabhain 12. My first taste was an Ardbeg 10. Not for me.
My first taste of peat (Laga 16) I thought it tasted like a smoked turkey and caramel sauce, but now I hardly taste the smoke at all 😂 I was drinking a peated rye whiskey blind and didn’t even realize it was peated
Just got one when a liquor store in the area of my job had it 50% off. Glad I held off for soo long.
I’m typically a laphroaig 10 guy, I just bought a bottle of the offerman 11. You definitely hit the nail on the head with the exception I don’t find it all that Smokey. Good review though.
I just bought this recently and I'm really enjoying it. Offerman has cracked the code, because he's the real deal.
I really like this one. It has been really good, lots of differences as you progress through a glass.
Here's hoping these make their way to Ontario. Great review, Jason. Tbh, it is probably difficult to mess up a Lagavulin, so Offerman picked a good distillery to adopt. Cheers from 🇨🇦
The LCBO just got them on Feb 1.. it is mighty tasty
Picked up 3 of them this past September. Good stuff.
Couldn't seem to nab one of these in Dayton:( But I'll be moving up to Columbus next year, so I'm hoping there will be more opportunity to find these limited releases in my future!
I'm actually drinking this right now. I just got it to and it is my first taste of Lagavulin ever. It's incredibly smokey. I may not be getting all the fruits but my in pallette may not be as complex as yours is. Still, it's worth the price and really good.
Those fruits will open up and especially as your palate gets used to the smoke. Give it time. Everyone's palate is different.
Bought a bottle a couple of weeks ago, really enjoyed this whisky. Great review, thanks.
Already picked up a backup of the Charred Cask, didn't realize it was fully matured. Skipped the Guinness but might need to locate one while still around. Wasn't a fan of the 8yo but the abv on these N.O.E. really boosts the lack of punch of the 16yo.
This one is way better than last year's and is quite good. I just think the 8 is still the best one they offer, minus maybe the 12 CS or Distiller's Edition. For the lowest price, and a respectable 48% abv, I think the 8 is great in value, and flavor. As the 16 gets to $100+, it gets harder to defend.
Love the 8!!
Lots of people preferred the Guinness cask one, and I did too at first. The charred oak has a lot of smoke to fight through at first, but it needs some time to settle down and open up. Excellent stuff.
Solid review! Picked one up tonight on a whim based on the charred oak reference before watching this review. Excited to try it out based on your review!
I'm looking for one. Thanks for reviewing this.
It's a tasty easy sipper, but I preferred the Guiness cask version.
My first peated was a BenRiach Heredotus Fumosus (PX sherry finished). Been hooked ever since. Since then, the 2018 12-year cask strength Lagavulin and the Ardbeg Dark Cove have been my all-time favorites. I like this one a lot, it is Lagavulin after all, but doesn't quite have the specialness of the cask strengths. I just got the new Lagavulin 12-year expression, the Phoenix bottle. That'll be a Christmas pour! Love the content, keep it up!
I do need to get one of these. Sounded really good i would agree, very interesting whisky. Cheers!
Awsome review jason!! I went out and bought a bottle, cheers🍻
The distillers 16 is the flagship choice from them.
Just saw this at my local total wine, and will pick one up tomorrow. Thanks for the great review Jason! Cheers 🥃
Hey Jason, what timing! I just got a bottle from New York, and I live in Melbourne,Australia! Looking forward to having a dram or 2 of mine. Cheers
I need to find one of these.
Maybe it's because Offerman is actually involved with the brand rather than another celebrity sourcing from the same 3 places trying to make a buck that his whisky is living up to the price. He's got good presentation in terms of ABV and age statement. Most celebrities go bourbon and if there's no cask finish, how different can it be if they all do 2-5 year old bourbon and charge a premium because their name is on it.
S a
True. And he actually was a huge Lag 16 fan before he got involved.
I’m not generally a fan of peated scotches (I prefer the Speysides like Glendronach, Glenfarclas and Arran), but they hooked me with the Nick Offerman marketing gimmick. Of his three offerings, this one’s my favorite, and the only one I ended up buying a second bottle to drink.
J, great review and great call-out on Ardbeg CR's not being worth the $$$. Generally I prefer Ardbeg's core range to Lagavulins, but these Offermans seem to be decent value. My favorite for the $$ is Laphroaig 10 CS and their Cairdeas releases. Cheers! and be nice to the Grinch... he's just green with envy...
Definitely my favorite bottle from lagavulin.
Just picked up a bottle. I think it mellows out quite a bit. I do think many of the normal Ardbegs are better.
This was a strange pour for me. The front palate was almost cooling with red berries and a light amount of peat and then mid and finish were a face smack of peat and ash. I have not had an experience like that before.
Love the pink floyd inspired shirt.
How is this compared to Ardbeg Uigeadail?
Bro…I need the shirt you were wearing in the ZBiotics segment…
I agree that this is a better value than the Ardbeg committee releases. The Ardbeg releases cost 2x more where I am from and I would say hands down this one beats Scorch, which was a similar concept/production
Loveeddd this one. So much better than the 16 yr.
My boy the Grench is chillin 😎 😂
We absolutely love this too. Offerman is a national treasure to boot. So happy we found a bottle of this for 80 and will 100% grab another at 90-100 or less. Big fans here!
For sure the Ardbeg Committee releases have been several let downs in a row. But I think you missed another relevant comparison - the last two Special Edition 2021 Lions Fire and 2022 Phoenix Fire. Those are 12 years old and unfiltered/uncolored at higher proofs. Worth a look if you have the $.
Don't think I saw those. Have to take a look.
Got 2 bottles of this and tried it with a steak.....FANTASTIC!!! My favorite of these releases so far!
This is the best Offerman edition yet! I am buying a second bottle.
I've enjoyed all three releases as well, and agree regarding Ardbeg. At one time Ardbeg was my favorite distillery but I think they jumped the shark a dozen or so years ago and have sadly gone further in that direction with all these NAS releases with very silly names, and exorbitant prices.
Couldn't agree more
Love it.. And easily found!!!
This is easily the best Offerman Lag 11 and it'll be pretty difficult for them to top this next release
100% agree that the Offerman editions have been better than the last few Ardbeg committee releases.
More Scotch on the Mash & Drum aint no bad thing
I’m a big peat head and I’ve tried this Lagavulin Offerman thrice now and I’m just not a huge fan. It’s good, but it doesn’t hit for me. I can grab Laphroaig Lore for around the same price and for me that’s leagues better. That said, all of my friends who have been into peated scotch longer love this Offerman so I think it’s just me 🤷🏻♂️
Maybe it's just the type of peat you like which makes sense.
Definitely better than the ardbeg committee releases. That said I grabbed the hypernova when I saw it because FOMO
I tried a glass from my buddy and it was pretty good, I actually thought it was on the lighter side of the peat and smoke with just vanilla and caramel. I think I'd rather just get the 16 year for $10 more and for sure would grab the Distillers Edition over this as it has so much more peat taste and is double matured in ex Pedro Ximenez and it just has so much dark fruits with that amazing peat smoke and umami flavor
Well, peaty notes and smoky notes are different things. This one is not very peaty….agree there. But it is damn smoky!
Agree the Ardbeg committee releases have been overpriced and underwhelming as of late. Last year's Guinness pick was great.
The code: make the whisk(e)y first, slap the celebrity on after the fact.
Can’t agree more…the Offerman’s are beating Ardbeg Committee’s…
The nose reminds me of latakia. If you smoke pipe tobacco, smoke some Ten Russian's or Maltese Falcon when you drink this and tell me it does not compliment each other.
To me this one tasted like a green apple jolly rancher, which I was not expecting with what little I know about Islay scotch. Super tasty!
HOW!? It taste like rubbing alcohol. I keep trying more but every time It so ruff. Man. I don't get this. I love Whisky but this stuff is RUFF. I will stick to my American Whisky brands.
Sadly overpriced for what you got at $140 I think it was in Florida - however as the Offermans don't come to Sweden I couldnt pass it up. It was tasty as most if not all Lagavulins are - but not warranting the price point in my own humble opininon.
This stuff is to ruff for me. Way to strong. I can't handle it. I taste nothing but rubbing alcohol.
Ogres are like an onion - Shrek.
Cheers Jason C!!
Its chill filtered and nowhere on the box or bottle does it say natural color or no color added. Its missing depth and above $80 diageo marketing habe brainwashed so many. Ardbeg, kilchoman, bruichladdie, all kick this Islay's ass
Really?!?! A third of the video an advertisement...