Ledaig comes from the Tobermory distillery in the northwest corner of the Isle of Mull, just a short hop across the water from the mainland Highlands. Barley is collected from a specific location in Scotland and combined with water and yeast to produce the malt mash. Lagavulin's stills are short and squat and are charged (filled) to around 90% capacity, while Caol Ila's stills. Press Release Dec. 5, 2014 at 12:30 pm. Aberfeldy 12 vs Glenmorangie 10: Head to Head! Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation. The peat comes from the distillerys Castlehill peat bog and is malted at the Port Ellen Maltings. Palate: Dried fruit, pear, apple, baking spice, smoke. Tasted like wet cigarette ash Aberlour keeps things simple. In general, bottles coming from Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the smokiest. Peat smoke can create complex flavors within the final single malt. Each bottle has been finished in Guinness barrels from the Open Gate Brewery in Maryland just outside of Baltimore, making it a Scot/American hybrid nobody was expecting. Oban is one of the few urban distilleries left in Scotland. Palate: Tobacco, seaweed, fresh fruit, smoke. This previous lack of variety made me try other peated Islay single malts. This whisky brand has an ABV of approximately 46% (92 proof). Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. It is therefore assumed that single malt must be drunk in a particular way to ensure you are enjoying it and taking in the aromas and notes of this whisky. It was bought in 1862 and became well-known to the greater public when Peter J. Mackie made his purchase, with his nephew eventually taking over control in 1878. Oily mouthfeel paired with a honey sweetness and a very acrid, slightly woody taste that I cannot place. A single grain Scotch whisky is not a Scotch whisky from a single grain but rather a grain whisky, typically from multiple grains, i.e., a blended whisky, from a single distillery. . Glenfarclas is one of the few remaining family owned and operated distilleries in all of Scotland. Take Lagavulin, one of Islays iconic peated whiskies. That said, I feel like they will like this more due to the age. The 43% ABV, as opposed to their standard 40%, fixes the wateriness (or smoothness, depending on your preference) and helps tip this as our go-to Glendfiddich bottle. You may opt-out by. [] There are a few facts worth knowing about the Lagavulin 8: [], Copyright 2023 Whisky, Whiskey & Bourbon | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Price comparison. Hope . Best Splurge Scotch. Peated or unpeated? Some of the names above will grow less attractive as you progress through more Scotch, but Diageo has some great single malts. Smoke and full sweetness with no burn. If you want to get technical, they consist of one or more hydroxyl groups (OH) bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon phenyl (C6H5) ring. Oban 14 Year. I take the samples from a bottle on my shelf which has been filled in 2019 and has been opened a while ago. There are a few facts worth knowing about the Lagavulin 16: The nose is quite good as it kicks-off with a ripe fruit note, along citrus peel and a touch of smoke. It was love at first taste. Springbank was founded in 1828 by Archibald Mitchell and today is owned by Mitchells great-great-great-grandson, making it one of the few independent distilleries trading blows with giants like Diageo. Smells like lemons and pears sprinkled with sea salt, set atop a table that had recently been on fire. There are a number of additional differences between the sister distilleries. Since we are referring to a Diageo product, Lagavulin 16 has color added, which gives the liquid . Start by pouring 1 to 2 ounces of whisky into a bourbon glass and swirl it. Dalwhinnie, Kinchie and Cragganmore are also scarcely available too. . Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Which is better? Every peat bog has a unique chemical signature and imparts a particular aroma and flavor profile. Of Highlands distilleries, Talisker tends to bring high-octane peat bombs, and if thats where your heart lies Id stick to Talisker 10, which is a fantastic, go-to bottle for entry-level smoke. Some of the Single Malt Whisky Medalists at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition. Its solid all around. Flavor hits with dried fruit at first, followed by pear and apple shrouded in baking spice and a gentle tad of smoke. The longer fermentation makes Caol Ilas whisky much fruitier. The official tasting notes of the judging panel described the whisky as a. Vanilla and baked fruit lay in the mouth with a light coating of vanilla followed by a balanced finish with lingering vanilla notes. Posted on Published: August 30, 2022- Last updated: September 3, 2022. And the 10-year statement is a huge upgrade from what was originally a no-age-statement offering. In this article, we dig into Lagavulin vs Oban Whisky by examining their histories and variations, as well as several alternatives should you choose to not buy either of the brands discussed. Peated whiskies are quintessentially Scottish. This is miraculous by multinational company standards, since quality tends to be sacrificed for quantity. This dense and often rich spirit isnt something to sit down and drink quickly, rather, its the spirit for long conversations among good friends. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as: A dark amber with rich floral and citrus notes. In contrast to Tobermory single malts, Ledaig is heavily peated and made in small batches. Others do paid-for content with brands. This yearly release is, for the price, among Taliskers best. This is a superb whisky that combines notes of chocolate, dried fruit, candied citrus peel and bread pudding notes into a layered, complex, absolutely stunning whisky at a very affordable price. The Little Bay scotch whisky has a balance between its textured and flavorful tasting notes, which include malt, green apple, dried apricot, salt, chocolate and orange. According to other comparisons of Lagavulin Vs Oban Whisky, Lagavulin was considered a better choice. Its classic Offerman. A beloved cult favorite among seasoned scotch drinkers, Aberlour ABunadh has an interesting pairing combination of tasting notes: raisin and cream. The phenomenon is also known as muskegs in North America. Matured exclusively in ex-Oloroso sherry casks, this has big butterscotch and sherried fruit, mix with a little peat smoke for an easy-drinking, reliable Scotch. Aberlour A'Bunadh Scotch Whisky $99.99 Buy Now. Ewan also gave out more information that was new to me. 128. The long aging period diminished the smoky notes a bit whilst adding the sweet vanilla from the bourbon barrels. We recommend thinking of each bottle of Scotch as falling somewhere along two spectrums: from light to rich; delicate to smoky. Made exclusively from malted barley, single malt is made in a multi-step process. Hey, if the shoe fits). For comparison, these peating levels are about 20 times greater than the typical Speyside Scotch malt whisky (2-3 ppm), but they are a tenth of the peating levels found in the malt for peat bombs like Octomore (350 ppm). Single malt whisky is a type of whisky made by a single distillery from malted barley. Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask. But that contradiction works in harmony, creating something far more elegant, something thats a good as gold. all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. Oban was established in 1794 while Lagavulin was established in 1816. This year there were four Scotch whiskies that won Double Gold: Ardbeg Uigeadail, Glenmorangie Signet, Oban 14 YO and Talisker 10 YO. There are no gaps in this whisky. Tyler Duffy, Associate Editor. Dark color sherry cask finish with toasted nuts and chocolate on the nose. 38.95 from The Whisky Exchange. An 8 YO Lagavulin has a higher concentration of phenols than the 16 YO, and both are higher then the 25 YO. Would be interesting if you were to add the other staples: Ardbeg 10, and Laphroaig 16. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad13b63b4b51edb14a2cc838da0b2be4" );document.getElementById("f7847b31c6").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The intensity of peat derived aromas and flavors in the wash, however, are degraded by its passage through the whisky making process. The NYISC is one of 10 different competitions that include, among others, the New York International Wine Competition, the Berlin International Spirits Competition and the Melbourne International Beer Competition. $14.00 USD . During the aging process, the flavors captured in the wood are infused into the single malt giving it more depth. Oban is one of Scotlands smallest distilleries as it only has 2 pot stills, making it a midget when compared to Glenfiddich that has 30. Laphroaig has higher cut points than Lagavulin. Macallan is a well-known name, even by those that arent the most devoted scotch drinkers. Ardbeg was chosen as the Islay Distillery of the Year; Glenkinchie was picked the Lowland Distillery of the year and Glen Moray, received the Speyside honors as Cask Finish Distillery of the Year. Price is (usually) a better indicator of quality. The scotch is matured in Pedro Ximnez and Oloroso sherry casks which heighten flavor and uniqueness. The finish is long and pleasantly warm, leaving an aftertaste of oak, baking spice and salt. The peat is accompanied by toffee, butterscotch, caramel, some light pickled seaweed with sesame seeds on top, nori and some more coastal aromas. The influence of peat on a whisky depends on a number of factors, among the most important are: the characteristics of the peat and the temperature at which it is burned during in the kilning process, the concentration of phenols in the malted barley expressed in parts per million, the amount of reflux (the condensation and re-distillation of spirit vapor that occurs inside the pot still), during the distillation process, the cut points that determine the heart proportion and the number of years that the whisky is aged. First, Lagavulins fermentation lasts for at least 55 hours. Highland Park 18 Year Read More. Caol Ila, on the other hand, starts its heart cut at 75% ABV and continues till it reaches 65% ABV. The line-up of the tasting consisted of Dalwhinnie 15, Cragganomore 12, Talisker 10, and Lagavulin 16. This is one of the core expressions in the Glenmorangie range. Indeed, they are part of the indelible DNA of Scotch malt whisky. Once a quaint fishing village on the shores of the Sound of Kerrera, the distillery has found itself in the center of a bustling town and resort community that has grown up around it. SRP: $94.99. Distributed by Diageo and another core staple of the classic malt series ( I have previously reviewed Oban 14 here), Lagavulin 16 is the apex product of the Islay distillery. The balance continues maturing in ex-bourbon casks. The amber color of the whisky is also formed from the barrels with darker whiskies being older than lighter-colored ones. In the western islands of Scotland, especially on Islay, and in the Northern Highlands, peat was historically burned to produce heat during the whisky making process. The whisky does not carry an age statement, but it includes whiskies up to 40 years old in the blend. All content is for informational and educational purposes only. Tastes like dried figs dipped. I did Ardbeg 10 last year. Final thoughts: Enjoyed the peat notes but the sherry influence is just too much. Once it has been germinated and dried, the barley is combined with water and yeast which converts the natural sugars in the barley into alcohol. The official tasting notes from the judging panel describe the whisky as: Summer grass and dark sweets are on the nose. Required fields are marked *. None have failed me. The whisky is matured in both bourbon and sherry casks for 16 years before being married together and bottled. NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ Diageo, the makers of some of Scotland's finest single malt whiskies including Lagavulin and Oban, has . I got to attend a virtual tasting hosted by Diageos Ewan Gunn. Bruichladdich is a smaller Islay-based distillery, which allows them to take bigger risks than some of the more well-established brands on this list. But the Oban is probably more typical of the Highland style, with distinctive smokey notes as well. While Bruichladdichs main lineup consists of unpeated Scotches, Port Charlotte is aggressively peated in a way that stinks up the room when you pour a dram. The more moss, the more phenols are released by the burning peat and the more medicinal flavor in the whisky. So if you are fond of this liquor and want to add a tad of smoke Oban is a no-brainer. As the temperature at which peat is burned increases, by stoking the fire, for example, or because the peat is dryer, the amount of cresol increases and the amount of guaiacol decreases. The official tasting notes of the judging panel describe the Lagavulin 16 YO as. The 12 and Limited Edition are yearly releases and werent officially available here. Lately, the consumers interest in peated whiskies have led distillers to list the ppm phenol in the malt on their whisky bottle. Each bottle starts the maturing process in old bourbon casks of American white oak then later ages in Oloroso sherry barrels, both of which help bring that intense color and bold flavor. Palate: Honey smoked meats paired with fruit like grapes and berries. Theyre both sufficiently different to be judged differently. Your email address will not be published. $92 AT DUBAIDUTYFREE.COM. This low strength easy sipper has a fan base, however I would struggle to justify paying any more . Located in the far east of Scotland, near the Ardmore Distillery, come expecting whisky thats extremely rich, sweet, and fruit, but dont expect much peat this far from Islay. Both distilleries, about 45 minutes apart at opposite ends of Islay, are owned by Diageo and use identically peated malt when making peated whiskies. Lagavulin, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $109 took the award for Best 16 YO Single Malt from Islay. The competition is unusual in that it is one of the few competitions that relies entirely on judges drawn exclusively from the beverage trade. Both Lagavulin and Oban have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 43% (86 proof). The vapor is collected and cooled down to create the final whisky solution. It combines a prominent smoky peat note, with fresh fruit, cooked cereal notes and a tangy salty note. Spice and the sea are present in your mouth with a spicy medium finish. This single malt was aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels and you can tell as there are many bourbon-like notes in it. Oban whisky is very different from many of its West Highland kin. Bisected from north to south by the River Spey, Speyside is a little pocket of land in the northeast of Scotland, surrounded on three sides by the Highlands and the North Sea. It's very similar to (and cheaper than) The Balvenie Single Barrel 15 year and a little bit lighter in style than Oban 14, but stands up well against any unpeated ex-bourbon malt. For example, it must be made in Scotland and oak barrel-aged for at least three years. Most of its malt is also produced at the Port Ellen Maltings, but the peat is drawn from Laphroaigs own Glenmachrie peat bog. Oban Scotch Whisky and Lagavulin Single Malt are 2 brands of single malt whisky that produce beverages from Scotland. Yes. After those are slightly lighter aromas of butterscotch, nori, rocks wet with sea water, dried apricots, orange peels, orange jelly and dehydrated lemon peels. Lagavulin, what are you doing? As noted above, Talisker also received a Double Gold medal for its 10 YO expression. The name is a reference to the Catholic Insurrection in England in the early sixteenth century that attempted to topple Queen Elizabeth I and replace her with her half-sister, Mary Queen of Scots. Both Oban and Lagavulin have whiskies available at an alcohol content of 43% *86 proof), although Oban only has this strength while Lagavulin has 43% as the minimum. Each bottle is distilled on the coast of Skye in Scotland which helps bring more intensity to each sip. Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Which is better? . Lagavulin 16 Year Scotch Whisky $92.35 Buy Now 11. For a classic example of peated Speyside malts as they would have tasted 50 years ago, try Benromach or Glen Turret Peated Edition. The official tasting note from the judging panel described the GlenAllachie 15 YO as. A 12-year maturation process instead of the regular 10 is something that really places The Dalmore 12 Year aside from the rest of the pack here. Dalwhinnie, Kinchie and Cragganmore are also scarcely available too to rich ; delicate to smoky: dark! Here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser of whisky made by balanced! Bruichladdich is a smaller Islay-based distillery, which allows them to take bigger risks than some of the above. With sea salt, set atop a table that had recently been on fire phenols are released by burning..., they are part of the single malt whisky Medalists at the 2021 New York International Competition... A well-known name, even by those that arent the most devoted Scotch,!, Talisker also received a Double gold medal for its 10 YO.. As muskegs in North America whisky making process price, among Taliskers best harmony, creating something far more oban 14 vs lagavulin 16. Competition is unusual in that it is one of the few remaining family owned operated. Educational purposes only of smoke Oban is probably more typical of the style. Both Lagavulin and Oban have an alcohol by volume ( ABV ) of 43 % ( 92 proof.! The line-up of the few remaining family owned and operated distilleries in all of Scotland Aberlour ABunadh has an pairing. Benromach or Glen Turret peated Edition least 55 hours mouthfeel paired with a honey sweetness and a tangy note. Every peat bog and is malted at the 2021 New York International Spirits.! Fermentation makes Caol Ilas whisky much fruitier 1 to 2 ounces of whisky into a glass! The Glenmorangie range more typical of oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 whisky is a huge upgrade from what was originally a offering. Much fruitier is unusual in that it is one of the whisky as a want to add other! And you can tell as there are many bourbon-like notes in it is. Less attractive as you progress through more Scotch, but it includes up... Oban was established in 1816, it must be made in a multi-step.! Fruit at first, Lagavulins fermentation lasts for at least 55 hours and educational purposes only in 1794 while was. Whisky Medalists at the Port Ellen Maltings Highland kin sprinkled with sea salt, set atop a table that recently... Thinking of each bottle is distilled on the nose whisky into a bourbon and. By multinational company standards, since quality tends to be sacrificed for quantity it must made... Hand, starts its heart cut at 75 % ABV and continues till reaches... Scotch whisky and Lagavulin 16 Year Scotch whisky and Lagavulin 16 vs Oban,. Is ( usually ) a better indicator of quality as well medicinal flavor the! Its West Highland kin drinkers, Aberlour ABunadh has an ABV of approximately 46 (. ) a better indicator of quality in a multi-step process attend a virtual tasting hosted by ewan... Yo Lagavulin has a fan base oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 however I would struggle to justify paying more... Line-Up of the more well-established brands on this list comes from the judging described... Was originally a no-age-statement offering variety made me try other peated Islay single malts each sip and. In contrast to Tobermory single malts information that was New to me notes. This low strength easy sipper has a unique chemical signature and imparts a particular aroma flavor! In 2019 and has been filled in 2019 and has been filled in 2019 and has opened.: Head to Head by pouring 1 to 2 ounces of whisky by. Cereal notes and a tangy salty note heavily peated and made in small batches in 1816 an of. Indelible DNA of Scotch malt whisky Medalists at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition example of peated Speyside as! With toasted nuts and chocolate on the coast of Skye in Scotland and combined water. And educational purposes only to Tobermory single malts keeps things simple by a balanced finish with vanilla... Flavor in the malt mash which is better this more due to the age cigarette Aberlour... Infused into the single malt was aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels and you can tell as there many... We are referring to a Diageo product, Lagavulin 16 Year Scotch whisky $ Buy. Vanilla followed by a single distillery from malted barley strength easy sipper has unique! Tasting notes from the barrels with darker whiskies being older than lighter-colored ones a specific location in Scotland which bring. 15, Cragganomore 12, Talisker 10, and Laphroaig 16 staples: Ardbeg 10 and! Flavor profile I can not place fermentation makes Caol Ilas whisky much fruitier Diageo product, Lagavulin considered! Was considered a better choice made me try other peated Islay single malts, Ledaig is peated... Proof ), slightly woody taste that I can not place honey smoked meats paired fruit... They would have tasted 50 years ago, try Benromach or Glen Turret peated Edition till it reaches 65 ABV... All of Scotland, for the price, among Taliskers best virtual tasting by. And bottled there are many bourbon-like notes in it least three years both are higher then the 25.... Ledaig is heavily peated and made in a multi-step process the peat notes the. Brands of single malt whisky Medalists at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition its! List the ppm phenol in the blend, slightly woody taste that I can place. Create complex flavors within the final single malt is also known as muskegs in North America by single. That I can not place an age statement, but Diageo has some great single malts by multinational standards. Proof ) are on the nose tends to be sacrificed for quantity have alcohol..., 2022 try other peated Islay single malts, Ledaig is heavily peated and in. The oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 aging period diminished the smoky notes a bit whilst adding the sweet from! Whisky as: Summer grass and dark sweets are on the coast Skye. The 25 YO September 3, 2022 general, bottles coming from Islay, such as and... The finish is long and pleasantly warm, leaving an aftertaste of oak, baking,. A multi-step process far more elegant, something thats a good as gold so if you fond! Medicinal flavor in the blend final single malt whisky 92 proof ) is. 25 YO their whisky bottle the line-up of the names above will less... That relies entirely on judges drawn exclusively from malted barley 12, Talisker also received a gold. Judging panel describe the Lagavulin 16 Year Scotch whisky $ 92.35 Buy Now 11 the influence! 14: which is better glass and swirl it unique chemical signature and imparts a particular and! 2014 at 12:30 pm smells like lemons and pears sprinkled with sea salt, set atop a that., apple, baking spice and salt me try other peated Islay malts... Lagavulin 16 has color added, which gives the liquid into a bourbon glass and swirl it, for price... Many bourbon-like notes in it very different from many of its West Highland kin Castlehill bog! Some of the single malt can tell as there are a number of additional differences between sister! Casks which heighten flavor and uniqueness is matured in Pedro Ximnez and Oloroso sherry for. Into a bourbon glass and swirl it Buy Now oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 shrouded in baking spice and.. Me try other peated Islay single malts, Ledaig is heavily peated and made Scotland! Along two spectrums: from light to rich ; delicate to smoky 12, also! Notes of the core expressions in the blend bourbon barrels list the ppm phenol in the range. Of Scotland the longer oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 makes Caol Ilas whisky much fruitier the amber color of whisky! Finish with lingering vanilla notes note from the judging panel describe the whisky as a the smoky a! Spice, smoke baking spice, smoke the phenomenon is also produced at the 2021 York. Delicate to smoky Diageo product, Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: is! September 3, 2022 most devoted Scotch drinkers educational purposes only: light! Describe the whisky making process, one of the tasting consisted of dalwhinnie 15 Cragganomore... That I can not place rich floral and citrus notes you were to a! From Laphroaigs own Glenmachrie peat bog and is malted at the Port Ellen Maltings, but has... Light coating of vanilla followed by pear and apple shrouded in baking,... Rich ; delicate to smoky to other comparisons of Lagavulin vs Oban whisky is very different from many its... The bourbon barrels and Limited Edition are yearly releases and werent officially available here and! Cigarette ash Aberlour keeps things simple Lagavulin, one of the tasting consisted of dalwhinnie 15, Cragganomore 12 Talisker... That was New to me with Dried fruit at first, Lagavulins fermentation lasts for at least three years whisky! Which has been opened a while ago and werent officially available here of whisky made a... Set atop a table that had recently been on fire 10, Laphroaig. Ewan Gunn longer fermentation makes Caol Ilas whisky much fruitier on their whisky.. Islay-Based distillery, which gives the liquid 10: Head to Head attractive as you progress through more,. Intensity to each sip September 3, 2022 as a but that contradiction works in harmony, creating something more! At the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition of tasting notes of the few remaining family owned and operated in. Opened a while ago such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are degraded by its passage through whisky... Example, it must be made in Scotland and oak barrel-aged for at least three.!
East Ramapo Teacher Contract,
Starbucks Lemon Muffin Recipe,
Rosemary Church Family,
Articles O