Guinness UDV was formed when Diageo combined with the United Distillers and Grand Metropolitans company, International Distillers and Vintners. The complexity is lost a bit in the mouth, but its still full. Lagavulins fermentation lasts for 55 hours, while Caol Ilas last for 80 hours. Hi John, why just have one when can you have both? Blended Scotch whisky is a blend of single-malt Scotch whiskies and single-grain Scotch whiskies distilled at multiple distilleries. Oban is offered in a 14 year version and a pricier 18 year Distillers Edition that was first released in 1998. You can add a small splash of water to the whisky if you would like but it is recommended that you do not add ice to your single malt. Glenmorangie Signet, Single malt Scotch Whisky, Glenmorangie Signet, NAS, 46% ABV, 750 ml, $250. Oban is one of the few urban distilleries left in Scotland. Reviews #7 and #8: Oban 14 and Lagavulin 16 I'm very sleepy, so I will let the reviews speak for themselves: Oban 14: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey; 43% ABV. Oban has a much smaller offering than Lagavulin, with 4 whiskies available for purchase. Lagavulin 16 pleases crowds as the default good Scotch for a reason. Indeed, they are part of the indelible DNA of Scotch malt whisky. Hi PB, thanks for the compliment. Under the official Scotch Whisky Association guidelines, the Highlands region is made up of all Scottish islands (except Islay) and the mainland of northern Scotland (except Speyside). For a subtler peat influence try the Glenlivet Nadurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish. We may earn a commission on items bought through our links. Made in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, Bowmores Islay Single Malk 15-Year Darkest Scotch Whisky produces a final result thats inherently dark looking, but also extremely rich in flavor. Alcohol doesnt hit as heavy as the ABV would suggest. But in 1998, after changing hands to Diageo, the brand was selected to represent the Lowlands and the 12 year old expression hit shelves. For much of its history, Glenkenchie was producing the light-bodied Scotch typical of the Lowlands for use in blending. When dried, peat can burn. Tastes like dried figs dipped. The official tasting notes of the judging panel described the whisky as having: A dark amber hue signaling its years in the cask. None have failed me. Monkey Shoulder bills itself as a premium blended Scotch, and they aren't lying. The well bodied liquid with citrus and honey layers lay on the tongue with hints of oak and brown sugar on the long finish. which makes it great for newbies and diehards alike. 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. The tweaks and variations that go into each bottle of Scotch are intimidating, especially for bourbon and rye drinkers who may not be accustomed to the price of a whiskey thats been aged for 18 years or more. Oily mouthfeel paired with a honey sweetness and a very acrid, slightly woody taste that I cannot place. This whisky has a light gold to deep amber color with an average price of $81 and an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 46,7% (93,4 proof). An early distillery founded in 1826, was one of the first licensed distilleries in Scotland and a pioneer of sherry cask maturation. When youre more seasoned, the light and easy-to-drink malts will no longer do the job. 128. If you can, try to match the tasting notes with the aromas and ingredients you recognized earlier. all while retaining a distinctive and unique taste. First, Lagavulins fermentation lasts for at least 55 hours. Peat and sherry with a lovely burning lifeboat on the seashore kind of smoke. There was a second distillery already sharing the site with Lagavulin which was absorbed by the company in 1837. I first had this in 2014, when it came in the solid dark blue box. I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should! Highland Park 18 Year Read More. But I have samples of the Dalwhinnie 15 and Cragganmore 12. Score: 91/100. For example, peat generally burns at a temperature of around 350 C. Wood, by comparison, when fully combusting, burns at a temperature of around 600 C. Excessive combustion temperatures degrade the peat aromatics produced, although the impact varies depending on the phenol type. Oban was established in 1794 while Lagavulin was established in 1816. Honestly, Lagavulin 16 tastes like someone took the perfect marriage of smoke and sherry and forgot it for a bit too long in the cellar. The finish is long and pleasantly warm, leaving an aftertaste of oak, baking spice and salt. Oh, and its created in part with actor Nick Offerman. In those parts of the world where there is an absence of trees, peat has often been utilized as a source of heat. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Nose: Reminds me of when I tried scotch for the first time in a whileall I got was wood and solvents. (It famously produces much of the Scotch for blending in Johnnie Walker expressions.) He is Diageos senior global brand ambassador for Scotch. Inspired by, of all things, the Vikings, Highland Park (as seen in the Nordic detailing present in the bottles design) 12 Year boasts a great balance between malty notes and floral smokiness. Its followed by light tastes of butterscotch, digestive biscuits, citrus peels, toffee and brown sugar syrup. On the cheaper end, Laphroaig Quarter-Cask is somewhat similar. Thats why peated whiskies can sometimes have a medicinal/disinfectant or plastic-like aroma. Aberlour, 16 YO, Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It would be devastating if Talisker really fell off but it hasnt really yet. This particular expression spends 15 years in ex-bourbon barrels before 30% is transferred to Oloroso Sherry butts. And the dark color is closer to coffee or Coca-Cola than a typical Scotch. The distillery uses some of the smallest stills in Scotland, meaning that the 18-year release is a hard-to-find, limited-release, despite being a flagship product. It was prominently featured in Diageos Classic Malts Collection as a quintessential example of a West Highlands malt. The combined mix of dissipating peat & smoke plus the entering aromas of butterscotch and toffee make me think of mocha. Most people who like Lagavulin 16 also like Talisker 10 (which I prefer over the Ardbeg). $19.50 USD . An 8 YO Lagavulin has a higher concentration of phenols than the 16 YO, and both are higher then the 25 YO. Lagavulins malted barley has 35 parts per million phenols. After that, he said that the peat used for Talisker comes from the Black Isle or Speyside. Old oak casks are then used to age the whisky with the most common casks being old American bourbon barrels. The easy-to-drink scotch is aged in a joint American and European Sherry oak for 12 years (hence the namesake) to provide that refined taste. One of the most recognizable scotch brands, Glenlivets 15 Year scotch gets its atypical taste from maturing the spirit in French oak casks (in fact, they were one of the first brands to use these particular kinds). Palate: This dram is the first to remind me of butter. $22.50 USD . The 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve is aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to first-fill, heavily-charred American oak barrels from Louisville, bringing more wood. Bottle Price: N/A (paid $14 plus tip for a dram at a St. Petersburg, FL bar). Lagavulin begins capturing the heart cut at 72% ABV and continues till it reaches 57% ABV. Both distilleries are based in Speyside. Its 12-year-old expression has a delightful smoky sweetness, complemented by herbs and spices that show why this distillery has been around since 1846. The French oak actually has a low density to it that allows the spirit to be enriched, deep inside the cask. It also gives out awards for best single malts across several age categories and awards medals to the top entrants. Palate: Tobacco, seaweed, fresh fruit, smoke. 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. 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. Citrus and dark fruit lay on the mouth with a soft awareness of oak that continues on the balanced finish with a light layering of vanilla. . Lately, the consumers interest in peated whiskies have led distillers to list the ppm phenol in the malt on their whisky bottle. But we could do with your support each month think of it as buying us a dram. 70cl / 43%. We recommend thinking of each bottle of Scotch as falling somewhere along two spectrums: from light to rich; delicate to smoky. Price is (usually) a better indicator of quality. Despite being more watery, the peat here is still stronger which makes me stand by my opinion that Talisker remains the better peated single malt to introduce to folks getting into this kind of whisky. Its seaside maturation imparts a slightly maritime savoriness. Oban got its start in a very small distillery in the Scottish Highlands where its been making scotch whisky for roughly 200 years. Next, waft the glass below your nose a few times and try to pick out the separate scents and matching ingredients used to create it. This year, there still was a total of 1,400 entrants judged. So, despite its small size, the area carries an outsized distilling resume, with heavies like Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg residing there. Well layered with dark fruit and sherry with a mild oak layering followed by a long smoky peaty finish with a soft presence of vanilla. Ardbeg Uigeadail, NAS, 54% ABV, 750 ml, $79. Lagavulin's stills are short and squat and are charged (filled) to around 90% capacity, while Caol Ila's stills. Lagavulin distillery is a malt whisky distillery in the village of Lagavulin on the south of the island of Islay, Scotland. While he has been coached to niche down, he has many passions. For starters, to even claim the title of scotch, the spirit must abide by some strict rules. With every sip, youll experience tastes of smooth vanilla, soft fruits and a memorably long, nutty finish, offering a robust and layered taste with each and every single slug. There were also several single malts singled out for exceptional quality. 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