Lagavulin Distillers Edition (2023 Release)

Lagavulin’s Distillers Edition was first introduced in 1997 with spirit laid down in 1979. Back then, it is reported they took their 16 year-old core release and double matured it in Pedro Jimenez (PX) sherry casks for up to an additional 2 years for a total of 18. Since then, aging has dwindled to where it recently dropped to 15 years (pictured, 2006/2021). Then in 2022 the Distillers Edition removed its age statement altogether to become a NAS (no-age-statement) expression (also pictured). Lagavulin’s nonuse of the word “sherry” on the box for this release is interesting. Usage would require adherence to Spanish regulations and the same applies to the term “sherry cask” since 2015. In brief, the PX grapes used to make sherry must be grown in a geographical triangle in southwestern Spain. PX grapes grown outside this area cannot be used for sherry. Also, the wine must be aged for a minimum average of 2 years for solera style or a full 2 years for single-barrel vintage aging in the case of oloroso. Additionally, to be a certified “sherry cask,” it must be seasoned with “actual” sherry for a minimum of 1 year. To sum it all up, Lagavulin could be doing none of these things based on any literature found describing this release. Indulge in this latest offering neat and it gives hints to its heritage. Add a few cubes and the palate turns slightly metallic leaving one to question the product’s integrity relative to its predecessor. Still a decent whisky, just no longer “great,” in my opinion.

Nose: campfire, dark fruit, tobacco leaf Palate: up front is lots of dark fruits, the smoke arrives shortly after with a hint of dark chocolate, sometimes a bit vegetal. Finish: charred meat over a campfire ending with sweetness Price: $130 ; worth it as a special treat Bottle Design: Score: 8/10 ; Buy it! Final thoughts: This is a great bottle for sweet and smoky. The first Lagavulin I’ve bought and I’m loving it. The beginning of the bottle was fruity and smoky while the end of the bottle was more meaty smoky. With a higher price than the 8 and 16, I probably won’t buy another. I’m glad for the experience this gave and will definitely explore others from this distillery. Pairs wonderfully with some burgers from the grill!!

It mostly tastes like what I expected, but nearly the best version of what I expected. It trades a bit of the briny medicinal tar for a little more sticky red fruit and orange marmalade. Still retains enough of the lovely Lag peat to feel like a Lag. Good balance between the Lag-ness and the sweet sherry. I don’t know if I’d like it better than the original every day, but on this day it strikes me as better. Maybe just newer. Recency bias perhaps. They’re close. This is very good. The original is such a classic though. Hard to find any fault, but like the original, I’d prefer a slightly higher proof. They do manage to squeeze a lot of flavor into the 43 percent, however.

Nose: raisin and some dark rich fruit. some solid meaty smokiness, a salinity, a moderate peat earthiness. Mild carame Palate: PX sherry cask brings a strong sticky dark fruit on the front. Balanced impeccably with the peat and smoke notes. Peat and smoke are not small by any means, but incredibly smooth and gentle. Ends with a smooth but pronounced salinity. A solid malt note too. Finish: sherry is strong here. Mild phenols, a tiny bit of rubber. A bit of wood. Thanks for sharing your goodbye bottle John!

Nez accrocheur, fortement fumé. La terre mouillée se laisse entrevoir derrière. Bouche très surprenant, très douce, qui coule comme du biscuit fondu en entraînant un peu de tourbe et de bois. Une bonne longueur tres complexe. Le verre vide a des relents de bacon.

Has a nice smoke on initial taste, that balances out to a nice mixture between fruity and nutty flavours that linger.