Lagavulin 2003 Distillers Edition

Lagavulin is sometimes described as the ‘Aristocrat of Islay’. This whisky is so popular that the distillery sometimes has to cope with stock shortages. It is, by the way, the Lagavulin Distillers Edition, of which I have tried the most expressions. Seven so far and today I will put the 8th and 9th head-to-head. I will start by trying this one from 2019, distilled in 2003 and thus, just like its classic counterpart, aged 16 years.

The nose is simply sublime. Overripe banana on the barbecue, pineapple juice, coffee, stockfish, blueberries, smoked ham and ecoline. Hint of plasticine and cherries.

Ah, yes! First sweet and smoky, then dirty on ashes and salt with a bitterness in the middle. Simply grand. The sweetness translates to yellow and red fruit with pineapple in the lead, the smoke is self-explanatory, the ashes and silt as well. But that bitterness seems to be from Turkish coffee. How I am enjoying myself.

The finish lasts forever, on smoke, coffee and chocolate, with a chili pepper at the death.

This is one of the best Lagavulin Distillers Editions that I have tried so far. Absolute class. And only €80. What are you waiting for?

Find where to buy Lagavulin whisky