Lagavulin line up: Lagavulin 16 ~2016 vs Lagavulin 16 White Horse early 90s vs Lagavulin12 geen glass cream label vs Lagavulin 12 clear glass white label
Glorious Lagavulin. This represents the standard ‘entry’ Lagavulins from today to the 70s. A line up I have been meaning to do for some time. No other reason but oh Valentine’s Day.. Ah for love. Did I mention I do love Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 16 ~2016 43%
As benchmark, so nosing only.
Nose: Say what you like the modern 16 is a consistent bottle, and quite recognizable. So in a nutshell – big brassy dirty phenolics like burning rubber, intense dirty herbal smoke, plus coastal hit with salt spray, howling gales, dry white smoke, firewood, quite some oak and sweetness. For all it’s upfront bluster, it does pale in depth next to some of its predecessors.
Lagavulin 16 White Horse LLJA, for those who know the secret code, that’s early 90s. 43%
Nose: Well, different and same in so many ways. Much much less bold, though we are much in the same profile. Softer than the modern 16 but much richer in composite flavours. Also much less dirtiness from that burning rubber, more like smokey tea with a tablespoon of soot stirred in. A deeper more petrochemical peat, and the dea: tarred ropes, muddy seaworn jackets, sea soaked wool caps. And what must be a herb bush on fire, leaves, bark and all, but a mile off. The muddy seawater elements seems to be especially louder in this one.
Palate: There is dirtiness and it’s a distinctly modern Lagavulin – more smokey herby dirty than burning rubber dirty. Less obvious slap in the face than the 2016 16 but deeper and richer I think, though much in the same camp. Also quite coastal with that sea soaked wet wool and muddy rubber boots. Smoked cold tea, and peated malt bins. Quite some sweet wood (sherry?) and bouquet garni, on fire.
Finish: Medium long, sweetish woody notes and the aftertaste of lapsang souchong.
Lagavulin 12 cream label ~80s bottling 43%
Nose: Go back some Lagavulin seems to be less dirty and less overtly woody. And also less of a obvious smack on the nose but instead you get much more depth and quite some complexity! Still earthy dry smoke, coastal air, brine and a richness of phenolics and a handful of black earth, a lot more spilt engine oil, wax drippings and some oiliness than compared to the 16s. Seems to have lost the obvious ashy notes. So much more refined and complex, but with less upfront impact.
Palate: Seems to have some glassy notes, and quite some various greasy oils, then the dry smoke-peat arrives. This dry smoke already feels quite modern, but the subtle depth of the peat is different. Earthy, herby-rooty and saline. Some smokey chamomile tea maybe. Feels like it could have done better at 46%
Finish: Medium long, dry, smoky and earthy.
Lagavulin 12 white label ~70s bottling 43%
Various imports, this was for the UK.
Nose: You know.. side by side, it’s quite different from its immediate successor and a different beast from the 16s. Much richer and thicker phenolics.. amazing. Feels a lot heavier than the modern 16. With a kind of peat that’s positively dripping with peat oil, and a must like fruit that went musty just yesterday, thicker soot and billowing engine fumes. Much more gritty earth and flints. Less obviously coastal but bigger and more phenolic.
Palate: Yes, absolutely thick and full. Heavy oily peat and engine fumes, earth and must. Thick soot, a bit of mouldy leather heaviness (in a good way). Crumbled coal. Not a hint of tiredness in fact very much alive with a prickle of black peppercorns and licorice. A whopper. Totally phenolic without much discernable coastal-ness, maybe some sea air.
Finish: Long, the phenolics push on. Much more phenolic than all its successors.
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What a tasting set!! We had a chance to try an earlier ‘White Horse’ Lagavulin 16 year… lucky you to try the older 12 years too!!!
Very much worth seeking out!