Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey - Duty Free - 1 Litre

Finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for at least three months before bottling in 2018, this 2002 Distillers Edition Lagavulin has a rich, coastal character, complimented by notes of dates, cherries, raisins and salted caramel.

History

Situated on the banks of Lagavulin Bay on the island of Islay, Lagavulin Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. Distilling took place on the banks of Lagavulin Bay as early as 1742, and by the turn of the century, there were as many as ten illicit stills operating in the area. In 1816, John Johnson founded the first legal distillery on the site, and within a year Archibald Campbell had opened a second. After Johnson’s death, Alexander Graham acquired Johnston’s distillery for £1,100 and eventually united the two distilleries together under the Lagavulin name. Since that time, the rich, peaty water that runs down the brown burn and through the Solan Lochs into the hills just next to Lagavulin Bay has served as the lifeblood of the distillery.

Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky is known as one of the most intense, smoky single malt whiskies ever made — the peated barley used to create Lagavulin Single Malt has up to twenty times as much exposure to peat smoke as compared to typical Scotches. Once the grains used to craft Lagavulin Whisky have been harvested and malted, they are dried over a peat and gas fire calibrated specifically to produce Lagavulin’s signature, bold flavor profile.

Then, the grains are milled and mashed before being fermented for approximately 72 hours. Following fermentation, the whisky is distilled twice — first through a wash still for approximately five hours and then again through a spirit distill for approximately nine hours. This is the slowest distillation process of any Islay distillery, and gives Lagavulin its characteristic round flavors and mellow edges.

Following distillation, Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured for sixteen years in second-fill, American oak casks that were previously used to mature bourbon. As a result of this maturation process, together with the unique barley-drying process used at the distillery, the single malt has an intense aroma of peaty smoke, wood spices and Earl Grey tea. The aroma gives way to notes of peat, rich smoke and salty tang on the palate, which are balanced by subtle notes of vanilla and honeyed oak. The finish is incredible and intense, with complex notes of sweet caramel and fruits belying bolder notes of peat and smoke.

Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has earned six Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and was named the “Best Single Malt Whisky (13-19 Years)” at the 2013 Competition.