Lagavulin Scotch (16 year)

Simply my favorite whisky of all time (at least of those I have drunk in my half-a-lifetime). It is hard to believe how powerful the taste of this whisky is - a great bellowing of peat smoke is in the smallest sip - while at the same time it is so smooth and round; soft and wonderful. You can even get pleasure out of smelling the empty glass! This one has the full funk of Islay - thickly peated, sea-iodine infused, and malt-sweet. I can understand why some people say it is not supposed to be for beginners, but I think I was born ready to drink this whisky. I can't be alone. I admit to choking down certain whiskies, but Lagavulin 16yo really is pure pleasure to drink. You will not find the raging fire of a Talisker but the rich glow of the embers. It is so drinkable I can easily have too much. If it gets any better than this, please, bring it on!

I started with the Glenlivet and others, this one is extremely complex and absolutely one of the kind! Very strong peat/smoky flavor with awesome after taste. You can smell the ocean. Lagavulin is very smooth and silky as it goes down. It doesn't have that rough alcohol sensation in your nose. I can't get enough of it. Strongly recommend, although, it's not for the beginners.

Blehc! Too peaty for my taste, and not worth the price jump.

Outstanding scotch! Best I've tried yet. Like chewing on a campfire. What is amazing is that with the powerful peat-smoke it is extremely smooth. Wonderful neat and also great with a splash of water. Reminds me of the peat-fires back in the mid 70's during the drought. Makes me crave toasted marshmallows for some reason!

To go where no tatstebuds have gone before!!. Simply a flavour journey to be savoured. Let your immagination run amok whilst you enter a taste sensation you can look forward to each and every saturday evening. Simply the greatest single, Thank you Peter Mackie.

I get green olives, smoked pepper bacon, smoked almonds, and campfire out of this bottle - I can't really afford the 25yr, so I will have to crown this scotch as my favorite

Waves smoky deliciousness caress my weary soul.

A bit of the bog, and smooth as they get! Great with a fine cigar after dinner.

A really, really good scotch. Extremely well crafted; definitely not the most accessable scotch due to its strong flavor, which reminds me of a campfire. One of my favorite drams.

This scotch is the others in a teaspoon what I would except in ounce. TRy three drops in another scotch and you still taste Lagavulin.

This is truly one the finest scotches that has it own character and superior quality.

This is a five star Islay malt at a reasonable price, although with the dollar nosediving, it will go up. This stuff has some serious peat taste and is not for the casual single malt drinker.

Fantastic whisky. Not sure I'd recommend any higher. Deep smoky, coatal flavor fills your lungs as you drink it.

Probably my all-round favorite!

I've been drinking (and loving)Lagavulin for over 20 years, but after visting Islay last year, I have to say that Ardbeg has comparable smoothness, equal peat, and much more character. I still drink Lagavulin's various permutations happily, but if I had to live with only one Islay whisky, Ardbeg would be the one.

No explanation needed, sort of like being asked to "rate" an Aston, Ferrari, or Lamborghini. But, to continue the car analogy, you wouldn't toss your Murcielago keys to a teenager.

An excellent scotch for those who don't wear panties. Novices should stay away for he smokieness might make them cry. If you like smooth whiskey and have hair on your chest this is the whiskey for you.

The worst scotch i ever drink(and i am a fanatic whisky drinker),taste is like poison.

Meaty, full, super-smokey flavor. Dry and spicey with a kick-in-the-mouth finish of spice, plug tobacco, and heat. Yummy...

This is my regular friend and I usually prefer the Islays. Its just so exciting in the nose and its peatiness and warmth is fantastic. I've had the Ardbeg 10year and it is a bit more overpowering with its smokiness. Almost like drinking a campfire...

What a smell! Overwhelmingly peaty and dense, hangs around the nose and throat for a long time but lots of warmth with no sharpness. I prefer something lighter such as Bowmore or even Tamnavulin (Speyside) but this is a great example of an intense and well-rounded Islay.

I have always liked this whiskey, but my latest bottle, which I received as a gift, has a faulty cork. The distributor is decidedly unhelpful, and the bottle is unusable. Extremely lousy quality control and customer service!!!!!

A wonderful, smokey peat whisky. The best, I only bring out for special appreciative guests.

If you are buying this because you think four years makes a difference then your wasting your money.

too peaty for my taste...

I enjoy the Islay malts. Lagavulin is my favorite scotch. I have not had the pleasure of comparing it to ardbeg but I do have the Laphroig 10 and much harder to find, 15 year old. I prefer the smooth, non-medicinal character of Lagavulin and enjoy the strong smoke and peat aroma and lingering aftertaste.

Without a doubt, the best Islay malt I have had to date. I enjoy Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Bowmore but Lagavulin is head and shoulders above the rest. Definitely intense stuff but nicely well rounded with a smooth finish.

This atandard whisky from lagavulin is OK. For more power, try the 12 year old cask strength, or for 5 stars the 25 years old.

Simply the best Single Malt I have ever tasted. Highland, Lowland... whatever! Lagavulin has the depth, smoothness and smokey, intense flavors that make it the King of the Islays. Ayyye, the peat man, the PEAT!!!!

By far the best single malt if you're into the peaty Islay scotches. In the same comparison category are Ardbeg (nice and peaty but medicinal finish), Bowmore (smoother but not as peaty), and Laphroig (similar to Ardbeg in my opinion). Lagavulin captures the smokey start but combines it with a very smooth finish. Damn tasty!

KING of the classic Malts series. Getting harder to find. Buy a case or two of this stuff and sit on it. Will be an investment for both your pallet and wallet.

I concur with the other reviewers here. This is a wonderful, peaty, smokey scotch. Easily my favorite single malt. I'd love to know where others have found this for $45 a bottle since $60 per is the going price in the Boston area.

I have tried about 20 different single malt scotches, and Lagavulin 16 year is my favorite by far. A great combination of smoke & peat long-lingering flavor common to the Islay region. Seems to be hard to locate in the states lately (9/04)

Great Islay Scotch. True to it's seaside origin. Plenty of heady peat to satisfy those who like an assertive yet very quaffable dram. I would not recommend this drink for those new to single malts. (Try some Lowland scotches first to acclimate your palate). Overall, a fine drink for a scotch fan at about $45.00 per bottle.