Lagavulin 2003 Distillers Edition (Bottled 2019)

Nose: Warming and round with a peaty character that is softened by a huge blanket of sherry cask aromas. Raisins, seaweed, eucalyptus oil and sweet composted soil. Hints of apple skins and baked ham lurk in the background and become apparent once it has rested. Reduction flattens the nose and frankly ruins it. 87/100 Palate: Sweet arrival full of dark fruit that quickly segues into spicy (mild ginger) and mentholated smoke. The development brings licorice, pine nuts, walnuts, cigar smoke, saltwater and surprisingly dry sherry. The texture is good but not remarkable ... the glass coats well but the legs form quickly and run fast, betraying its lack of viscosity. Adding water amplifies the salt notes while flattening everything else. 83/100 Finish: Short/Long. 90% of the palate disappears quickly but the other 10% (leafy sherry, brine and big peat smoke) keeps rolling along, although it does gain a sour note in the aftertaste. Just when you think everything has faded you take a breath and both smell and taste peat smoke again. It’s like the way in which cigar smoke lingers on the palate. As with the nose and palate, water spoils the finish. 82/100 Tasted from a sample I bought a few years ago, this is the first Lagavulin Distillers Edition I’ve had for probably a decade. It’s not a whisky style I adore because although it has its standout positive features it also lacks crispness and I keep wishing the sherry cask influence was less prominent. The nose here is very good but the palate, whilst above average, was not as good. The big peat reek grabs you but there is not a lot of depth below that and there is a thread of sour/bitter brackish saline throughout the palate that I did not like. I get why this is a favourite for many people as it has some outstanding facets, but for me it lacks balance through the progression. Comparison to the regular 12 year old releases (even the average ones) reveals just how much the distillery character is obscured by heavy PX finishing. One important note - do not reduce this whisky. Even a drop or two of water throws it completely out of balance. I don’t take cost into consideration when scoring a whisky but, for me anyway, there are many peated whiskies that outperform the Distillers Expressions at around half the price. “Good” : 84/100 (3.75 stars)

The nose is welcomed by the fleshiness of the barbecue with a massive salty and mineral splash, which soon let the sweetest soul of the whisky emerge, with blood orange, melon, licorice, cloves. Pappery bread. Tough but elegant, a sort of 007 with Daniel Craig. On the palate it is more delicate, peppery and very marine (fish crudity), with ferrous tones of grilled meat, like lamb chops. More blood orange, pine nuts, cocoa paste, licorice. Full-bodied but not energetic, very balanced, perhaps too much. Fairly long finish, of ash, sea, spices and orange. Probably the gradation has somewhat turned off the power of Lagavulin, which thanks to the sherry and the PX is perhaps too much affable for my tastes. Don't get me wrong, it is still an excellent drink, structured and rich, but I would have liked more bite.

The nose is filled with the slightly sweet peat of Laga, with a scent of sea salt. It has intensity but not choking. On palate there is chocolate and caramel coming out quickly. Smoky and peaty as expected. The oily texture makes you feel like it is a very rich dessert with fancy smoke but is not as sweet. The finish actually brings a bit of charcoal and grass. It is soft and pleasant.

I think I prefer the standard Lagavulin 16. The PX cask finish seems to strip away more than it adds. A lot of the tropical fruit and confectionery sugar I find in the 16 is muted. It's still a very nice dram, but the low ABV holds it back. A little thin with a fairly short finish.

The PX finish takes this Lagavulin to the next level. You get the Islay smoke and peat and a tiny bit of salt just like the regular lagavulin 16, but it's softened and smoothed out just a little bit. Lovely raisin and sherry sweetness really opened up with a few drops of water.

You just can’t beat this aroma. Campfires, eat your heart out. Smoke and peat will carry me into a warm evening. If smells are attached to emotions, this scotch will have you feeling happy till you slumber off and your dreams take over. Love. This. Scotch.