LG1 (Lagavulin)
LG1
So this is the first Lagavulin in Specialty Drink’s Elements range. I bought 2 of these when it first came out and immensely regret not getting more. Its only 500ml each!
Here’s us at Lagavulin by the way:
That’s the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle, in Lagavulin Bay, naval base of the Lord of the Isles, which at the time of the castle’s establishment was Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. The title itself is ancient, going back to before the Kingdom of Scotland, and was once powerful, rivaling the Kings of England and Scotland.
The castle was pulled down in 1677 when Sir Hugh Campbell moved to Islay House.
Nose: As expected, immense. Big dry but rich woodsmoke and cut grass. Very lapsang souchong-ish together. Followed by the coal and tar on hemp ropes. Big peat. Check. Brine yes but this is more marine than coastal. Fresh harvested shellfish. But also a but ‘dirty’ or yeasty at the back of the nose, like wet earth being baked. With water: Wet peat and gentian violet – the stuff granny used to put on your scrapes, mental image of little purple flowers. And something cardboardy. I prefer the undiluted version.
Palette: Sweet tarry peat smoke. Smoked plums, summer fruits got left in the smoker? Salty and massive. Turns ashy, with a herbal kick and licorice astringency leading to a dry finish. With water: Less tar more peat, more or less the same.
Finish: Long, dry, ‘wet herbs’, plus peat kick.
What? Forgot to add water, yes this can be drunk neat at 56.8%, no problem.
On hindsight should have just drunk it neat.
Overall very ‘Lagavulin’ and similar to the 16 but not as overtly sweet at the nose. Also feels a little bit less complex..
But such whisky, I should have bought more.
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