At For Peat' Sake you are the whiskey expert. All of our whiskey reviews have been submitted by whiskey drinkers like you who want to help others by sharing their experiences. We encourage you to help us grow by signing up and reviewing the whiskey you drink.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old Reviews
- Distillery
- Lagavulin
- Style
- Single Malt
- Release
- Unspecified
- Age
- 16 Years
- Alcohol
- 43% abv.
- Region
- Scotland: Islay
- Bottled For
- Distillery
- Buy Now $84.99 Carlo Russo's Wine & Spirit World
- see all offers
A much sought-after single malt with the massive peat-smoke that's typical of southern Islay - but also offering a dryness that turns it into a truly interesting dram.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Definitely Smoke and Peat but there's a sweetness of vanilla
- Body
- medium bodied
- Palate
- Smoke and peat first but then caramelized pears. The sweetness was surprising and nice
- Finish
- Very smooth with very little burn
Very good starter islay whiskey as far as taste goes. I highly recommend this one.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- My Glencairn nosing glass showed an almost green hue to the dark amber gold.
- Nose
- Massive peat grips you by the face then slaps you. The other reviews that describe the smell of Band Aids are spot-on. Lapsang Souchon tea. So much depth and intensity of aroma. Incredible on the olfactory senses.
- Body
- Full bodied and oily.
- Palate
- Peat overdose, smoke, iodine, sea salt, a hint of burnt fruit. Subtle sweetness hidden behind a thick veil of more peat and smoke. Water makes it easier on the senses but if you can handle its undiluted intensity you'll find a whiskey like few others. Did I mention peat and smoke?
- Finish
- The longest finish. Should you be foolish enough to over-indulge you'll still be tasting it the morning after.
The first Islay I tried. As polarising and extreme a single malt as you'll find. I feel it's best described as oily liquid smoke. Not cheap by any means but quite sublime. Possibly only bettered by Laphroaig Quarter Cask.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Honey
- Nose
- Starts heavy alcohol, but eases steadily to include many listed above. Give it time.
- Body
- Smooth, rich, buttery.
- Palate
- Read above
- Finish
- long and wonderful
I was one of those who didn't respond favorably at first sip. But do your homework -- let it sit for a minute, give it a sprinkle of water and let it work its magic. I think plenty of others have made more artful descriptions of the Lag 16. To those of you who would be so crass about it, understand that the reason its my favorite bottle right now is all the things you claim it to be. If you want a lighter scotch, go to it, there are plenty of good ones. I'm drinking a dram now as I write and I would regret it if the Lag 16 were changed to meet your needs. Find your preference; leave my drink as is.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Mr Darcy
- Color
- Young sauternes
- Nose
- Oaky leaf smoke, Banana, Creamy citrus, Mowed grass.
- Body
- Full
- Palate
- Warm peat, ashes, Flora, Sweet malt, Veggietable, Earthy soddy.
- Finish
- Warm balanced long thick smokey, oily / viscus slow finish.
Islay grand standard
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Pale gold.
- Nose
- Vanilla.
- Body
- Light-medium.
- Palate
- Leather, peat and acid.
- Finish
- Tapered wormhole linger into gravel.
Good drop, strange aftertaste. Bitterpeat.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Brandon Smith
- Color
- Golden amber
- Nose
- Heavy smoke and essence of the sea
- Body
- Rich and full bodied, slightly oily
- Palate
- Whisky aged near the ocean with intense smoke, salt, and medicinal overtones. Yet it's sweet and perfectly balanced.
- Finish
- A warm lasting finish that leaves a long sweet smoke on the palate. A bit spicy at first, but not overpowering.
One of my favorite Islay's. Very intense, yet smokey and smooth. Not a whisky for beginners. You don't have to like it, but appreciate the complexity of this unforgetable scotch.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Peat, wood & leather
- Body
- Smooth peat, almost muddy chocolate, just beautiful
- Palate
- Yum
- Finish
- Long and delicious, even for a non-peat drinker it's amazing finish
I'm more of a smooth Speyside guy,and just bought this beauty for my wife who lives peaty Scotch. Even though it's beautifully peaty with a surprising sweetness to it, i love it. It's quite an exception for an off the shelf scotch. It's a keeper ( unfortunately not for too long)
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Golden Amber
- Nose
- Peat and smoke balanced with spicey overtones
- Body
- Some sweetness blooms when held in the mouth, balances well with the peaty nose.
- Palate
- Smokey and nutty, surprisingly somewhat sweet.
- Finish
- Balanced finish leaves a great taste behind.
Fantastic, excellent balance between the strong peat/smoke and complex spices. Great lingering finish.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by AndyLondon
- Color
- Dark and rich
- Nose
- Heavy smoke and peat.
- Body
- Smooth.
- Palate
- Smoke and spice. A short sweet note.
- Finish
- A long finish. Smoke.
An exceptional Islay whisky with a complex flavour.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Golden amber.
- Nose
- Peat, smoke, iodine, some vanilla and wood shavings.
- Body
- Full body and a bit oily
- Palate
- Dark caramel, cacao, more Peat.
- Finish
- A long finish, like a campfire that dies down to a smoldering. Very nice
An excellent dram, it's a keeper. Had to give a few points extra (would rate it 92 overall), because of the little kids that gave this excellent scotch only 50 points, I guess it's something for the men among whisky drinkers, not the boys...
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- amber
- Nose
- peat smoke sea salt and sherry
- Body
- full
- Palate
- big attack intense sokey dryness quickly followed with sherry sweetness then mellowing to a fine balance of salty sea air and grasses
- Finish
- a nice long hit of islay peat
a whisky site with a resident troll,, i guess they are everywhere now, anyway as always this is a top flight whisky definitely one of the best available today
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- E150
- Nose
- Smoke, heavy smoke, nauseating smoke cover up its redeemable qualities. Blech, I plug my nose on this one.
- Body
- At 43abv it lacks the creaminess of a non chill filtered whisky. Maybe cask strength would improve this.
- Palate
- So overwhelmed by carbon based carcinogens, I swallow quickly.
- Finish
- My mouth will taste like shit in the morning. Where's my Balvenie?
Smokey. No place a speyside lover should go. $60 at Costco? I guess that why this is my 2nd and last bottle.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Edmund Cheung
- Color
- Dark Copper Bronze +1
- Nose
- Smoke, peat, Fine Cigar Ash, Dry Sage, floral bundle, dry fig, Warn Leather like a comfortable Couch or Baseball Mitt. Perhaps hints of dark Brown sugar and Maple Syrup.
- Body
- Full whole mouth and tongue comforting feeling. Creamy raisin Bread Pudding feel covering with white pepper and fine ash.
- Palate
- Extremely smooth. Smoke and Peat like a very fine misty Cigar smoke before making O rings. Mild Maple and toffee and Hazelnut coffee sweetness. Smooth soft leather with dash of white pepper. Hints of flora, vanilla, and dash of salt.
- Finish
- Wow smoothness lasts more than 40 seconds with transitions to creamy smoke and leather and dried figs. Still has finish 10 minutes later with NO reflux or burn.
WOW Gunsmoke and a fine cigar is the summary. Everyone has to judge a whiskey by this merits and quality and NOT necessarily by its flavors and smells. All Whiskeys should have their distinct characteristics and Lagavulin definitely has its own Polar richness and body. If you do not like Smoky and Peaty Whiskey, then do NOT review this one unless you can be objective in evaluating its intrinsic qualities = Rich Smoke, peat and smoothness.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- heavy smoke
- Body
- silky smooth
- Palate
- absolutely a beautiful sea salt and wonderful peat flavor reminding you of Scotland
- Finish
- Warm and lasting finish
Hey moron, don't drink Grey Flannel cologne...
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Peat, sea breeze
- Body
- Full bodied
- Palate
- Delicious peat, seaweed,slight vanilla, smoke
- Finish
- A nice, long finish, as any Islay should have.
This is a wonderful Islay. It seems as though every negative review has come from someone that had no idea what they were getting into in trying an Islay scotch. They aren't for everyone, but this is an exceptional whisky.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- amber
- Nose
- lapsang souchong, smoke, some peat, old sherry
- Body
- medium bodied
- Palate
- smoke, sultanas, mild peat, some salt, bit oily, well balenced, sweet sherry, some lemon zest
- Finish
- caramel, sherry, smoke, mild pepper
well balenced but lacking definition, it seems a little bland and too sweet ... def not worth $90! ... it would be interesting to see how it would turn out if it were aged in bourbon barrels
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- medium Amber
- Nose
- Orange peels
- Body
- medium and round
- Palate
- peat-o-rama!
- Finish
- consistant and long finish. No bite
Like drinking a campfire (in a good way!)
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Gold
- Nose
- Sharp iodine smell
- Body
- Full bodied, thick
- Palate
- A bit peaty with medicinal taste
- Finish
- Long finish, spicy at back of throat and warms you quite a while
Don't get as strong a taste of raw alcohol as the Laphroaig. I don't mind either brands.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Spittoon
- Body
- Mouth full of Copenhagen
- Palate
- Tastes like you drank a spittoon
- Finish
- Never goes away...
Have a friend fill his/her mouth with chewing tobacco. Now have your friend spit into your mouth. That's what this tastes like. Easily the worst single malt I've tasted to date.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Hambone
- Color
- Light mahogany
- Nose
- Iodine; smoke; forest floor
- Body
- Oily; thick
- Palate
- Heavy peat; salty
- Finish
- Extremely long; unforgettable
Breathtaking
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Dark
- Nose
- Just what you would expect from a good Islay whiskey
- Body
- See "Nose".
- Palate
- See "Body".
- Finish
- Nice, long finish - not as long as Laphroaig 10, but then these are different flavors as well. Someone said the finish is "way too long", well if it's a good whiskey, it should be.
IMO Lagavulin has a unique flavor among Islay products which makes it worthwhile to be on my shelf.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Peaty
- Body
- Surprisingly smooth
- Palate
- Combination of peat with lighter fruity undertones
- Finish
- Leaves my mouth feeling invigorated. The aftertaste is less smokey, but similarly rich
My favorite scotch whiskey. Smooth and smokey
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- nice amber color
- Nose
- smells like stale cigarette smoke.
- Body
- overwhelming.
- Palate
- old burnt iodine
- Finish
- way too long.
Taste like drinking an ashtray, and taste stays with you way too long. Very disappointed.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- walnut
- Nose
- Ashtray, heavy smoke
- Body
- thick and consistent
- Palate
- Strange balance of smoke and mainstream Scotch whiskey
- Finish
- Sweetness prevails
It taste like Johnny Walker Black mixed with cigar ashes, no peat, no resemblance with Laphroaig at all. Balance of flavors is very strange. Grossly overpriced.The 16 years maturation is probably the reason for the price.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Smoke
- Body
- Full
- Palate
- Peaty
- Finish
- Long
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Perfect Amber
- Nose
- Nothing really but a faint smoke.
- Body
- Oily and thick, coats the tongue.
- Palate
- Definite smoke, but not much else. Unlike cheap Islay I've had where it's huge smoke and then a nasty, alchol taste this is just smoke.
- Finish
- The smoke is still there, and you don't feel the liquor the way you do with some others. Entirely too smooth for my taste. If I wanted an Irish whiskey I'd have bought one.
You know, I can understand why people like it but I don't care for it. Too smooth for my tastes, I like my scotch with a more kick.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Rich amber with dark tones
- Nose
- very earthy with unique peat that first overwhelms then sooths the palate lasting a long time
- Body
- full body
- Palate
- smokey aroma followed by a slaty peat that turns to a long lasting pepper taste that stays with the palate
- Finish
- long tangy finsh that is somewhat hot
Absolutely the best gentlemans scoth on the market. must be taken with a heavy cigar and one ice cube to release the maximum flavor. Enhances the flavor of a grilled steak or great cigar.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- amber
- Nose
- vanilla, classic peatiness, oh so sophisticated and pungent at the same time. glorius!
- Body
- oily oily oily, thick and gracious. beautiful.
- Palate
- vanilla, peat, medicinal something or other and citrus. oh so classy!
- Finish
- way longer than me
p.s. i'm giving it a 99 to offset the mental midget who gave it a 50 (3 times)
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- smells like booze
- Palate
- Grey Flannel cologne
- Finish
- long
This consistently tastes like Grey Flannel cologne to me.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Wulf
- Color
- Golden-amber
- Nose
- Challenges the drinker with a heavy smoke, but with a hint of sweet undertones and clandestine complexity.
- Body
- Bold, slightly oily, and full-bodied.
- Palate
- Intrepid and distinguished with a strong and direct peat and malt flavors, yet with subtle sweetness of toffee and sherry. Unabashed. Unapologetic. Unrelenting.
- Finish
- Long and smooth. Maintains the smokey flavor while still malty and sweet. Simple, but elegant.
Lagavulin 16 is a quintessential Islay scotch that is not for the faint of heart.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- amber
- Nose
- heavy smoke, hospital smell
- Body
- thick
- Palate
- Iodine and peat
- Finish
- definately a very long finish
Classy and Refined. Definately intend to keep a bottle in my collection
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Ephnright
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Peat
- Body
- Full bodied
- Palate
- Heavy peat but very smooth. Even my wife likes it. She calls it liquid smoke light.
- Finish
- Heaven in a bottle. You're sad when it's over.
My favorite single malt, hands down. It's $110/bottle here. It's usually my fathers day present.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Steven Burvenich
- Color
- amber
- Nose
- Islay: sea, salt, grass. A Pepper mix blended in. classic Vanilla.
- Body
- Full body
- Palate
- Peat, sweet salt, vanilla, sweetsour burn building up, pepper. Burning its main taste to the top.
- Finish
- After burning it's taste back to your nose, the finish stays there. Afterburning. Yummy !!!
the best Islay Classic for me. balanced yet pronounced. Character. Sweet smoke yet burning. Campfire and furnace. What a dram.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by ScottyB
- Color
- Golden amber, e150 probably.
- Nose
- Lovely smoke, like a just doused campfire. Phenols, seawater, vanilla, black pepper, white pepper.
- Body
- Medium-full, Viscous, Lightly syrupy.
- Palate
- Peat smoke, Seawater, Phenols, Vanilla, a touch of Green apple.
- Finish
- Ridiculously long, peppery, numbing due to the phenols. Smoke and salt hang around forever.
I really didn't like the Ardbeg 10, but this is so much more balanced. There's a ton of peat characteristics you would expect form an Islay, but it's so much more complex than the other offerings I've had from the island. There's a real development from nose to palate to finish. I'm mostly into Highland and Speyside malts, but this is so good it may actually be my new favorite. Highly recommended.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Body
- oily
- Palate
- Burnt rubber, cough syrup, metallic, leather.
- Finish
- Leaves my mouth feeling assaulted, taste buds somewhat in shock. Couldn't finish the measure I poured. Definitely an acquired taste, one that I won't pursue. But one that is nevertheless deeply layered and extremely complex.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Nice amber, gold.
- Nose
- Heavy smoke, bbq
- Body
- Full body instantly brings happy thoughts of early hiking trips and campfires with burned meat and stories of the past.
- Palate
- Peat, wood, a touch of vanilla wit a touch of sweetness.
- Finish
- Nice long finish, not annoying to your throat. I guess, reading some of the reviews, this is not a drink for 'beginners'. Definitely one of my favorites!
Wow, clearly a whiskey with an identity that you'll love or hate. I love it!
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Burning Rubber, Cough Syrup, Hospital Smell, BBQ Brisket
- Body
- Smooth and rich
- Palate
- Bitter Melon, fresh laid asphalt,
- Finish
- Long, Strong, and draws attention from nearby people AND animals.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Peat, Peat, Peat, Peat...did I mention Peat? And why would this ever be a good thing?
- Body
- Painful
- Palate
- A kodiak bearhug ripping you to shreds, tongue first of peat.
- Finish
- Thank God!
A lovely single malt for anyone who likes to have a big mossy mouthful of dirt that pickles the tongue and destroys the palate. No smoke, all peat...so horribly overrated. Didn't the peat bogs preserve bodies for thousands of years? Maybe that is the motivation for this atrocity.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Deep, earthy peat smoke that is not overpowering, medicinal iodine with faint vanilla in the background. Reminds me of the seashore on a cloudy Autumn afternoon. Beautiful!
- Body
- Medium to full body. Wonderful mouth feel, slightly oily.
- Palate
- Peat smoke up front, followed with medicinal iodine and brine, and subdued sherry in the background.
- Finish
- Medium to long finish, smooth as glass, very well balanced, with a sweet ending.
My first love in single malt scotch. A true classic.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Burns
- Color
- Deep amber
- Nose
- Peat smoke and honey with a touch of citrus. Inviting.
- Body
- Oily, soft. Coats your mouth.
- Palate
- Peat up front, creme brulee and a touch of honeyed molasses. Smoke like Soochong tea.
- Finish
- Long and dry, full of smoke. Doesn't let you forget her.
The love of my life. There isn't a spirit around I'd rather spend an evening with. there are really no flaws in this.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Darker than most
- Nose
- Rancid band aids. Hospitals
- Body
- Thick, oily
- Palate
- Iodine
- Finish
- Thank god
Never want to taste or smell this again. Overdone in a big way.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Copper / rich amber
- Nose
- Sea tang, iodine, smoke, peat.
- Body
- medium
- Palate
- Iodine, salt, peat are the main impressions. There's a touch of honey in there somewhere. Fairly smooth without the sharp bitey tastes of some other whiskies.
- Finish
- Long distinctive finish leaving you breathing smoke and phenols.
This was the Scotch that got me into single malts. Wonderful, amazing stuff.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Copper
- Nose
- Walnut, wood.
- Body
- Of medium viscosity, between water and oil.
- Palate
- Salt, iodine, leather.
- Finish
- Very little afterburn, and warm resonance that lingers.
A very satisfying whisky with loads of character (still trying to work out all the tastes) without being based solely on overpeatiness.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Slick
- Color
- amber, tobacco steeped brown
- Nose
- heavy peat, earthy, thick and dank, iodine
- Body
- thin, crisp, light
- Palate
- huge peat, sophisticated medicinal
- Finish
- long, warm and hairy, it fumes
hard to beat!
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Deep golden honey
- Nose
- Peat
- Body
- Some lovehandles but not too heavy
- Palate
- Medium peat to heavy sweet
- Finish
- Godzilla fire
Entry level bliss
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Deep gold
- Nose
- Peat, salt, smoke
- Body
- Light body, not oily or creamy
- Palate
- Slate, cacao, tabacco, hint of iodine
- Finish
- Medium finish, ends dry and quiet with more granite and slate
A bit austere; not at all sweet. A nice changeup from sweet Highlands scotch. Not as peaty as Laphroiag, which I liken to Anbesol.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Earth and granite. Some peat evident
- Body
- Full and earthy
- Palate
- warm, stony, and natural
- Finish
- A long finish, reminds me of a nice cigar.
Smoky and refined, I always come back to this!
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Madcow
- Palate
- A complexity of flavors matched well but not over powered by the Peat.
- Finish
- Satisfying
By far my Favorite scotch. It has amazing Balance of flavors with many subtle flavors that just make this a home run.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by RickyRuffcutt
- Color
- Dark honey
- Nose
- Smokey, sea notes...something in there reminds you of bacon as well.
- Body
- A bit creamy, medium body.
- Palate
- Smoke, Sea salt, peat, hints of dark chocolate, ash....very very slight orange peel flavor
- Finish
- Warm, spicy, medium to long.
This is just at the point of being great. As usual with great things, people will either love it or hate it. This whisky leaves no room for those with weak opinions.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Whiskychugger
- Color
- desert camel
- Nose
- slithers of tropical kiwi with subtle scent of soy sauce
- Body
- the thickness of full cream milk and marshmallow with a crispy potato crunch
- Palate
- slightly eggy with a malt vinagerette infused with a lively kick of rice crispies
- Finish
- bubbly - much lke fairy liquid - a complete whisky not for the faint hearted but will certainly have you wanting more
A truly tantalising experience which tickled all my senses
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Dmessmer
- Color
- Gold with touches of red. Really striking.
- Nose
- Sweat and a hint fruity. Really announces itself.
- Body
- Coating and smooth.
- Palate
- I definitely agree with everyone who has mentioned dark chocolate, that is the overwhelming flavor I get every time. Also hints of orange and a mild smokiness.
- Finish
- This is where the smoke becomes most noticeable, though it's still not the full on attack of a Laphroaig or Ardbeg. Finishes very quickly and very cleanly.
Not at all what I was expecting, but delightful nonetheless. Despite its peatiness it still has a subtle refinement. This is definitely a desert Scotch for me, and one that I'm still figuring out. I don't know if this would become my go-to Scotch, but I'll certainly be sad when I finish the bottle.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Papa Whisky
- Color
- Deep satin sheen gold
- Nose
- Lightly fruity and floral, the smoke and peat lurks around but is kept under control, slightly medicinal not like smelling a band-aide itself, but like a handful of band-aide wrappers, sea air (but from a distance).
- Body
- Medium-full, light oil
- Palate
- Similar to the nose, it starts out fruity and floral, dark chocolate, smoked/dried squid, then the peat and smoke emerges to join the festivities, tiny essence of medicine, more smoke and peat, hints of salt.
- Finish
- Long , warm, and wonderful.
Wow, what a wonder whisky. The nose pretty much shows up in the palate except for the first half of my first dram where dark chocolate was evident, but was replaced by smoked/dried squid for the subsequent tasting (amazing). This whisky is intricate, flavorful, and alluring. Did I mention scrumptious? I’m definitely a fan.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Eye-lah Guy
- Color
- Heavy amber in the glass
- Nose
- Sea salt and hospital iodine, significant as one might end up in urgent care if not prepared for Lagavulin; peat lurks none-too-subtly behind the curtain
- Body
- Thick, oily, demanding
- Palate
- Piles of up-front peat and smoke naturally dissipate into fresh coastal spray of iodine and seaweed, with a wink of mocha and dried fruit. This is balance and complexity at its summit!
- Finish
- Finish: A lasting crash of warm, smoky peat and black oak hit like a hapless dinghy against the jagged island rock. As on the salty coast, the desire to repeat the natural order is reflected in the adventure of the next pull of this unparalleled dram. Each subsequent experience is as exquisitely revealing as the first.
Everything an Islay should be; unabashedly oily and in your face, yet stealthily effective in its ability to masque subtle undertones amidst the spectacle with unparalleled complexity. Kicks your ever-loving ass to the canvass, and yet you rise up for more; stronger and wiser for the beating. Yeah, this is the best Scotch whisky.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Golden
- Nose
- Smoke and peat, followed by salt, and balanced with a hint of banana, liqourice, and caramel. A hint of vanila and wood lingers in the background
- Body
- Full bodied. Creamy.
- Palate
- Smoke and peat, with chrismas pudding, sticky date pudding, and banana bread coming though, balanced by nuts, charcoal, and woodfired pizza.
- Finish
- Long, strong, and elegant, it coats your mouth and throat in peat as it goes down, warming your body from the inside out.
The most balanced and elegant whisky i have ever tried, and prehaps it is the most elegant islay of them all. Im a sucker for islay scotches and this is no exception. Gets a 92 so i have room for even better whiskys i may yet come across. Im barely 21.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Tea
- Nose
- Like a guy named Pete smoking a cigar
- Body
- Liquid, moves around the glass
- Palate
- Burns my mouth for the first 3 or 4 glasses
- Finish
- It lasts as long as it takes to drink it
The World's best Flavored Scotch !
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Gold to amber
- Nose
- Peat and dried apricots.
- Body
- Smooth, full bodied
- Palate
- Smoky peat and unsweetened apricots
- Finish
- Very long finish, and strong to the end
Excellent
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Chief
- Color
- Beautiful!
- Nose
- Sea, peat
- Body
- Full
- Palate
- Peat & sweet, the sea
- Finish
- Forever
BY far and away, my favorite dram. All others are ranked apart from it's lofty perch.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Smilin' Peat
- Color
- Maple syrup.
- Nose
- Smoke and burnt sugar. Seaspray. Nothing harsh. You do not need an experienced nose to appreciate this Islay.
- Body
- Rich and unctuous. A blanket for the tongue.
- Palate
- Complements the nose completely. No surprises. Positively juicy with pipe tobacco, vanilla, aromatic honey and a touch of the sea.
- Finish
- Melts into you like the hands of a great masseuse.
Hands down the best "affordable" Islay I've tasted. It beats 'em all with a trifecta of colour, body and nose. A bit pricey, but just plain worth it. Michael Jackson's rating is spot on!
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Drunk&dangerous
- Color
- bit darker amber
- Nose
- medium smoke, rich pattern of fruits. smell palette mixing up perfectly. best "smelling" whisky i have ever had.
- Body
- oily, thick.
- Palate
- smoke, fruity, a bit of "horse sweat" along. would expect a bit more from the gorgeus smell, but still very good.
- Finish
- smooth and long lasting.
my absolute favorite scotch in it's price range. exceptional smell.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Insinuendo
- Color
- Bronze.
- Nose
- On the nose, smoke is prominent. There are hints of smoked bacon and maple. The smoke is that of a campire, and hot embers with a hint of sweetness.
- Body
- A full bodied big boy!
- Palate
- The mouthfeel is decadent. It is rich and creamy and sweet on the very tip of the tongue. On the mid-palate, its complexities develop into dry leaves, fresh ashes, tobacco, clove and black and white pepper.
- Finish
- The finish is lengthy and warm… “Takes out the fire, but leaves in the warmth.”
Right off the bat, this bottle seduced me with its beautiful bronze robe. The elegance is obvious and luxurious.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- dark caramel
- Nose
- Sherry releasing peat smoke, iodine.
- Body
- Oily and substantial
- Palate
- Powerful peat smoke rising to sea air/seaweed
- Finish
- Big peat finish
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Copper
- Nose
- very complex, at times peaty smokey camp fire like other times sweet slight vanilla
- Body
- medium
- Palate
- also complex, campfire, little spicy earthy/peaty/smokey other times sweet, smoked walnuts and toffe
- Finish
- medium long
This replaces my previous review which I scored it a 50. At first reminded me of Talisker with the fish/oyster taste. Do not go off of first dram. A very good winter malt that grows on one. Excellent winter whisky.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Dark amber
- Nose
- Water that had dead or alive fish
- Body
- thin
- Palate
- like drinking water that had fish swimming in
- Finish
- extremely long
I find it very hard to believe any one likes this whisky. It has NO SMOKE taste or smell. I love smokey tasting single malts but this is like drinking water that had dead fish swimming in it.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Peat, smoke, salt water, citrus
- Body
- Full, bold
- Palate
- Extremely salty, heavy peat
- Finish
- Long salty finish
I liked everything about this scotch except for the fact that, to my palate, it tasted like someone took half a sprinkler bottle of salt and poured it into my dram....way to salty for me. I'll stick with Laphroaig and Arbdeg.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by YAK
- Color
- Dark amber
- Nose
- Heavy smoke, Campfire
- Body
- Full bodied
- Palate
- smoke
- Finish
- warm smoke finish
This is one of my favorite bottles of scotch!
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Adder
- Color
- Deep Amber
- Nose
- Citrus, smoke and something deep I can't quite get
- Body
- Full bodied, thick , heavy, creamy
- Palate
- Smokey honey and dark chocolate
- Finish
- Long long long finish, honey and citrus again fading slowly
I'm a Islay fan and tried this because bottle shop was out of my usual Lagavulin 16yo..I am amazed, so much flavour in a non Islay malt!
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Rowey
- Color
- Golden
- Nose
- Peat, medicinal iodine, coal, smoke, wood, salt.
- Body
- Soft, slightly oily.
- Palate
- Salt, peat, iodine, pawpaw and smoke, Politely understated.
- Finish
- Long, smokey and earthy.
Beautifully balanced and elegant. The gentleman of Islay malts.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Light honey
- Nose
- Hospital bandaging
- Palate
- Smoke, iodine and band-aids. Then more iodine.
- Finish
- Iodine, iodine and iodine
IODINE. A smooth but powerful whiskey that will be adored by anyone with a strong penchant for hospitals. Personally, I don't get the attraction, and could live long and quite happily without ever crossing paths with this distillate again.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Anonymous
- Color
- Dark, golden
- Nose
- Heavy smoke, almost a beacon note
- Body
- full bodied
- Palate
- peat, smoke, nuts.
- Finish
- Finish is strong and unique.
I tried this for the first time a few weeks ago, now i have bought a bottle. It definately is not an everyday scotch. Interesting change, love the heavy smoke.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by ColoradoDram
- Color
- Medium-dark amber, some orange.
- Nose
- Balanced fruit and floral spray, ocean mist, a milder vanilla-Listerine, a slightly burnt cinammon bagel in the toaster.
- Body
- A gorgeous silky bath of oil, full bodied.
- Palate
- Iodine, sweet cough syrup, peat smoke, peppery wam kick, buttery toffee later in the dram.
- Finish
- Very smooth - no attack if you drink this neat. Medium warm but pretty long, a nice peppery end and salty dry aftertaste.
This is a complex flavor-rich Islay if ever there was one. The medicine and peat smoke build and build, but enough sweet and salt persist to keep balance. I love it.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Ken
- Color
- medium amber
- Nose
- rose, ginger, Mandarin orange
- Body
- Medium body to light
- Palate
- Sweet to start, slightly fruity slightly tending to citrus - orange in particular
- Finish
- smooth, not biting, lasting memory
I generally like Islay but I personally find this to be a GREAT appartif, EXCELLENT aroma and smoothness, single malt though it be, on the order of Chivas, and MUCH better buy at less than $20! I shall return to this one time again, IF consistent will HIGHLY recommend
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Prosper
- Color
- golden
- Nose
- iodine, salt, wood smoke, peat.
- Body
- medium, slightly-watery body, strong, punchy flavor intensity
- Palate
- salty, peaty punch. very dry. hints of smoke; slight iodine
- Finish
- Hot, dry finish. What tiny little maltiness there is quickly fades, leaving a dry smoky burn.
Not my thing. I don't like the balance of flavours. For a 16yo, it seems a bit harsh still. For a nice smoky islay blast, I'll stick to Laphroaig and Talisker.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Red Hare
- Color
- Amber gold
- Nose
- Smoke, peat, heather, honey, salt, iodine. Faint hint of apricots
- Body
- Watery round the edges, oily in the middle
- Palate
- Salty and tangy. Lemony. Intense smoke, little sparks of sherry and vanilla.
- Finish
- Long and lingering. Burst of sherry and vanilla, quickly fades to smoke all the way to the end.
Not as aggressive as Laphroaig. Very drinkable. Tastes like a smoky Speyside would.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Eddie
- Color
- Amber, Dark Gold
- Nose
- Burnt Wood, Peat and Salt Air
- Body
- Full, Rich and Syrupy
- Palate
- Sweet, Dry, Peat, Salt,Oily and some Smoke. This one had a lot going for it. Sip after sip it seemed to have a different flavor show up. I liked it.
- Finish
- Long Sweet and a little smoky, Peat and Malt stayed a while and tasted very good
This is probably the best Islay I have had, It impressed me a lot. Now I'am tasting a little Licorice.
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Saul
- Color
- Amber
- Nose
- Iodine, Sweet, Peat, Smokey
- Body
- Thick and swishy, Full bodied
- Palate
- Salt, Tangy, Logs of peat, Balanced
- Finish
- Long, Powerful, but gentle
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Review by Rich
- Nose
- Here is the smoke, and the gentle malt underneath. Powerful, even at a low alcohol percentage it is hard to breath in too deeply without being overwhelmed.
- Palate
- Dry at points, smoke, the malty sweetness comes and goes.
- Finish
- Long and rolling peat, but perhaps shorter than I remmember it.
This was the 2005 version, which scored a couple of points less than before. A bit thinner than in the past few years, or is it me? Still wonderful.