Whisky Tasting 10: Lagavulin 16 Yr from Islay, Scotland

[haehae85]

There are the Kilchoman and port Charlotte (ok, that is almost Bruichladdich but not quite) distilleries too...

[Equity213]

I dont know where you Canadians are buying your scotch. Go to the superstore or costco liquor store. I just got a bottle of Laga16 for 72$. I also bought a bottle of laphroiag quarter cask for 40.99$.

Anyways this Lagavulin will be the fourth scotch ive tried. Haven't opened it yet but cant wait.

[pelletiert]

@Equity213 you cant buy liquor in a grocery store in canada.

[Equity213]

@pelletiert

The building is physically seperate from the actually grocery store, but its in the same lot and run by the same company. Just google superstore liquor.

[maydanlex]

I agree with mrvirusSnake.

[MrZhabadasher]

This is my favorite Single Malt. Very full bodied. I prefer my drink chilled with no ice. I notice you drink yours neat.

[MrZhabadasher]

@MrZhabadasher P.S I am relatively new to single malts. I found this gem in my local store, and fell in love with it. I also enjoy Ardbeg. Do you have any other suggestions possibly?

[chb46]

mmm I love this one !!

[chb46]

mmm I love this one !!

[FergusMacRoig]

Lagavulin Rules!  It's my personal fave out of all SMS.

[FrostmoorX]

I prefer Ardbeg, there is nothing better than to feel the nature of Islay in your mouth. Lagavulin is a very classy singel malt aswell :)

[blanketmanNOR]

I love this whisky!

[senditd]

great review buddy

[MrVirusSnake]

actually you DONT swirl whisky too much... you only swirl wine in order for the aromas to come out. whisky smells on its own it does not need agitation, if you swirl it you will only be bringing more alcohol into your nose making it harder to read...

[1000rtodd]

@MrVirusSnake I was going to post the same thing. Swirling wine is suitable bacasue of its low alcohol content compared to scotch. Swirling scotch drowns its natural aromas...swirling scotch is a "no no." This guy can both pronounce and name a myriad of distilleries,but maybe we could show him how to drink.

[pelletiert]

this guy is a joke.

[Therealalcon]

you dont swirl sinle malt.

Check out the highland park whisky reviews maybe you learn something.

good video though

[cattnipp]

I have this expression - it takes time to get used to it!

[MAXT3R88]

Marvelous.. i tasted it for the very first time 2 hours ago.. paired with dark chocolate.. i definitely like this kind of whisky, and since i am new to this world, and i tasted also talisker (really good), could you suggest me any other wiskey like those that i sould absolutely try?

[drprasad79]

pronunciation is pronounced as 'pronunciation' not pronounciation

[RockHistoryTube]

BEST WHISKY!!!

[youvexme]

Och, the memories. I was a poor student a long time ago, and really couldn't afford it, but gladly gave up some other luxuries in order to return home from Scotland with a good supply of Lagavulin. Nothing else even came close.

Now I still can't afford it - $64 for a bottle nowadays. Oh well, Christmas is coming...

[Markohoppis]

bow ties are for ventriloquist's dummies.

that entire bottle was gone before the next morning.

[BourneAccident]

Laggie is one of my favorites and thank God you didn't spit it out!

[TristanDesnos]

This and Ardbeg are my favourites. I'm just getting into single malts, thanks to a friend of mine who is very knowledgeable. I seem to prefer the peaty whiskies.

[luc137]

what a colour!

[chrish12345]

I don't know if anyone's said this but Port Ellen closed down in 1983.

[Satak8]

Drinking this same whisky right now, tastes really good :)

[neqaell]

its aaill and not aiula

[neqaell]

tes eirg dammen me whisky -les krijgen van jap e ; en eigelijk e feitelijk e eetche gelijk zei . mor alez al da nor tees fimke kijkt es fan van ja ISLANDS MALTS mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm lekker die dinge

[88Cortex]

Seabreeze.. :D

Hmm I just got a bottle of this as a gift, and I must say: Delicious indeed!

And complex as you say.. I'm not really an expert but can get that one on the taste :-)

[proudtoserve1]

Why do you never open up the whiskey with a dash of water? In my experience, it does nothing to dilute the flavor of the drink, but in fact brings the flavor and the nose out even more.

[DuendeDude]

why would you let air into your mouth when you drink a scotch? ... its not wine!!!

you just need your saliva to surround it and let it meld on your tongue

don't you agree?

[michaelyblam]

There are a couple of reasons: 1. It's a habit! I just do it without much thinking; 2. Airing any samples always enhance the taste in my humble opinion. I would imagine it enhances more for a whisky sample as it's more volatile than wine/beer. Why don't have experient on it and see if there are differences? I used to nose whisky samples from blenders. Yes NOSE and not allowed to swallow a drop! Likewise, one should train the nose more than the mouth in detecting tastes i.e. swirling...

[ogias]

@michaelyblam

enjoying a drink of scotch requires your entire span of senses.

the aroma is just as important as it's flavor.

opening your mouth can marry the smell and flavor more so.

[TheEdelweissPirate]

@DuendeDude

No, air helps to better experience the flavours of a whisky. When you taste something it's still your nose which is doing most of the tasting. That's why food is tasteless when you have a cold.

[TheEdelweissPirate]

@DuendeDude

No, air helps to better experience the flavours of a whisky. When you taste something it's still your nose which is doing most of the tasting. That's why food is mostly tasteless when you have a strong cold: you can't really taste what you're eating because your nose is blocked.

[DSBoomerRider]

One of the best Scotch out there! My favorite!

[michaelyblam]

You have a classy palate!

[DSBoomerRider]

@michaelyblam Why thank you!

[fruithero]

@DSBoomerRider Yeah same here, along with talisker.

[mgfurst]

Have you ever had Youngs Double Choclate stout . Its from london its really good beer

[michaelyblam]

Yes! I did and as a matter of fact I had one fairly recently.  It's an excellent beer indeed.

[1DeathWalkingTerror1]

@michaelyblam double choc is good mainly in winter, try the special London Special Ale if you get a chance (amazing), and whilst in England you can't go past Youngs Ramrod!

Great review, but apparently swirling is not the thing to do (like wine) only tilting and rounding (just coating the galss) the scotch is the thing to do... all the best, keep up the great work!

Lagavulin is an absolute ripper peat monster, like sitting around a campfire with family and friends, lovely stuff!

[ambjav]

It may have appeared more convincing to have a Scotsman in the role. It is a lovely drop but this fella does it no justice.

[seonidh]

Well done, Islay is pronounced "EYE-la" or "EE-la" in Scottish Gaelicand someone from Islay is an ilannach "EE-la nnaCH" ch is hard like in loch.

[Liozeris]

At Sam's Discount Liquor in Chicago, you will pay $99 plus a whole lotta tax.

10 years ago, it was $55.

[jpd84]

Its also the British government strangling its own lucrative whiky industry, trying to clamp down on ploblem underage and youth drinkers with increased rates on spirits, however its rarely the whisky drinkers causing the problem, just little neds with their 3ltr bottles of cider and vodka fruit drinks.

[Liozeris]

It is well known; you get less if you tax it.

Last June I put-up my first batch of wine.

30 lb. strawberries + 5 lb. sugar + yeast.

Yield; 4 gallons of beautiful 'summer wine' 14.4%. Ready in 6 weeks and too good to age.

Hey taxman! I'll pay someone to miss you.

[HelC001]

@jpd84

Indeed, the only thing banning stuff achieves is to hurt the legitimate users/consumers. The little oiks this would be targeted at don't care about whisky, there's plenty of other spirits to move onto, especially when most of them have Jack Daniels mixed with coke in mind when they think of a "good whisky".

[realguitarshredder]

ur vids r great i have been drinking whiskey and watching these..

[michaelyblam]

Thanks from the bottom of my heart!

[copking1]

Your facial exspression looks like you didn't like it.

[przzyk]

you're soooo right...this one grew on me very recently!! a real masterpiece!! but unless you've got really deep pockets, use sparingly because it is awfully pricey.

[smarch1337]

Watch the poor, its so light on the poor then goes to a amber.

[nogoodbastid]

this stuff tastes like pure smoke.

[Liozeris]

Is that 'cause you're smoking it? Try sipping some.

[nogoodbastid]

nope. sipped it.

tastes like scotch with charcoal.

[Liozeris]

Fair trial and result.

You will go to some whisky that suits your taste. There are enough to choose from. -- Prosit !

[scruby]

Laphroaig sux -- this is the one!

[michaelyblam]

Yeah! Malts are getting very expensive especially in BC where we pay extra taxes. I buy my odd bottles either from Alberta (30-40% discount vs BC) or from duty frees when good friends come from overseas! Lagavulin 16 is FANTASTIC but it's not for everyone especially those who do not like the robust characters of peat, smoke and sherry. It's an exciting whisky for me as it's so balance and complex!

[IloveAlexisBledel689]

That's $100.50 in Canada....

I'm hesitating to buy one, but it looks so tempting.

[grKnPn]

@IloveAlexisBledel689

It's worth every dollar.

[alisuperhornet]

@IloveAlexisBledel689

I know! so exp here, but my gf got it for 43 euros on her trip to Italy! 

[marcelcelmar]

@IloveAlexisBledel689

just go in a whisky bar and taste it. i always try new scotch in bars and then decide if i will buy it... better to spend 10$ on a drink that you don't like then 100$ on a bottle....

[ion7]

@marcelcelmar you reckon it'd be $10 for a taste?

[Thymo1991]

I'm drinking lagavulin 16 yo at the moment. I really like it, but I like Talisker (18 yo) better. Great vid anyhow; thanks for sharing!

[twogluon]

Heard a rumor that Lagavulin changed to lower peat levels about 6 or 7 years ago (so today's bottles don't reflect that). The change was from 50 ppm phenols to 35 ... supposedly ... to about the same level as laphroaig

[bopplayer]

I'm salivating right now, if you live in a wintery area this is so good when it's cold outside. Tastes like a fireplace! :)

[kuhndj67]

Lagavulin in particular (and Islays in general) are my favorites Scotches. Definitely you need to enjoy the Peat flavor to enjoy Lagavulin, but if you ARE a fan of Islays then this Distillery will be near the top of your favorite Liquor list.

It's a very complex flavor and I've found that most of the people I've introduced to it go back to their Glenlivet for its simple smoothness... but some of us get it... and the challenge of the Isle is well worth the effort IMO.

[Ironraider]

Port Ellen is now closed. Both the Laga and Laphroaig are VERY good whiskys...so is the Ardbeg...to each his own...but all the Islay could be considered the best in the world. Don't discount the Highlands, if you don't like peat/smoke whiskys. Cheers...

[burchey]

Buying a bottle on the way home

[DamianDoi]

i love its spicy taste..quality malt.

[Strepto]

Lagavulin 16 yo is one of the best whiskys around in my opinion. Lovely and peaty, smoky, with an oily texture. The taste lingers in your mouth for such a long time afterwards.

I also really rate Mortlach 16 year old from Dufftown. Again, has a nice smoky taste, but with more fruit - very distinctive.

[bitzrider]

Absolutely the best one from Islay according to me.

[tiperevent]

I agree Lagavulin is very good. But you should taste Laphroaig 15 years thats a nice islay whisky to.

[bitzrider]

Yes I've tried Laphroaig and it's really good but I'm still in love with Lagavulin ;o)

[lobzdik]

ive never tasted Jack Daniels

whats it like?

[SexBirdCake]

Like shit compared to this.

[anticimexxx]

No, its just different.

[SexBirdCake]

Well you're right. I was a bit out of order. Truth is, comparing the both with a measure of quality would result in a convincing win for Lagavulin, that's what I meant, but what I said without the least trace of tactics. Looking at the market, it's a sure win for Jack Daniel's. It's sold hundred's of times more, and more people would go for JD, having tasted the both next to each other. All in all, I would definately go for Lagavulin.

[anticimexxx]

Hi, i was never angry about you comment :)

You are completely right, i am also a big fan of islay whisky, and i would alway prefer them.

PS: Have you ever tried an ardbeg? How is he?

[trh2130]

Can't beat the peat and smoke!

[seleucidproject]

Lagavulin and Ardbeg!!!!!

[bdf136]

This is my favorite scotch to date

[michaelyblam]

As far as I recall. Gunpowder was always there but the nail polish could have been from the volatility of the alcohol from cask strength whisky. I have not atsted this malt for quite sometime.

[javierhejtmanek]

i really like your reveiew on this one, very accurate...i can't believe you qualified ardbeg as a "gun powder", "nail polish" flavored wine in other reviews, you've always been a reference to me when it comes to taste and "decide" which scotch i should go for..keep the good work/good reviews i'll always trust you, 'cause we have similar taste when it comes to scotch/wine

[prokopto]

If you are going to do a show like this at least get yourself a Riedel Vinum Glass.

[javierhejtmanek]

for some reason i'm using a regular bordeaux wine glass (just like michael here) to taste single malt scotches, maybe it's a bad habit i got (probably by being used to taste a lot of red wine in the last few years) but it seems to me that i need a bigger glass to really enjoy and unlock all the flavour in a good scotch, a regular scotch "snifter" doesnt quite let me stick my big nose and swirl it abundantly enough to get the best of it, maybe my nose is not trained enough,i'd recommend it though

[prokopto]

What the... turn up the bass!

[b0lkan]

I really like this whisky, but I prefer the 12 year-old Lagavulin cask strength. It's a close race though! Wonderful video, thanks a bunch for sharing!

[camhe4d]

lagavulin is similar to laphroaig, but to my taste, much more subtle and complex ... many more surprises reveal themselves after the first taste.

[michaelyblam]

I quite agree with you. Laphroaig is a peat monster so is Lagavulin but the latter has more sherry, more smoke, more complex (depth and layers) and a fully rounder body. For the peat addicts / devotees - Laphroaig is the 'winner' (an individual disciplined athlete) but for those who seeks COMPLEXITY and perhaps an all rounder (like looking for a decathlete), Lagavulin is the 'winner'. Indeed, both are great offerings.

[AtGiza]

I thought he was going to soil his trousers when he opened the bottle.

[hongkongsucksballs]

medleys 100 proof mellow corn whisky is some of the best whisky i have ever had in my life.try it you wont be disapponted i promise you.

[JACKtheRIPP3R189]

I have not tried this one, i should try it out. I have had Laphroaig and Bruichladdich and i enjoyed them very much.

[automotrice]

super video,c'est tres interressant de voir des video comme la votre.Continuez....MERCI SO MUCH

[GKostaras]

Laphroaig and Lagavulin are both great, but I prefer Lagavulin. It's my favorite scotch. I wonder why it's not very well promoted, compared to Laphroaig.

[barnowdotcom]

If I could afford Lagavulin, I wouldn't drink anything else. But unfortunately it just needs to be a treat for me every once in a while.

[TwoEz123]

I absolutley love this Scotch. So many distinct tastes.

[greedkiller]

I really enjoyed this video. My personal favorite is Laphroaig.

It's a shame the Port Ellen distillery is closed, the few remaining bottles demand a premium price and are quite collectible.

[michaelyblam]

Devotees of Laphroaig (or for some Laphroaig 10 years) always say Lagavulin is somewhat a compromise. Like wine lovers who chase after pure breed of single vineyard wines for their expressions of terrior always say blended offerings are a compromise. I LOVE Laphroaig too but I like the added complexities in Lagavulin 16. Port Ellen bottles are now super expensive because of it's rarity and historical significance - you have a bottle to share with me?

[angryniggah]

it's too bad you can't synch these up. they are quite good.

[michaelyblam]

I am sorry but youtube's tech has improved so the new rowing videos are now in sync. I will film again.

[daskraut]

i got a glass of it right in front of me. gorgeous whisky! but my favourite still is longmorn 15 years.

[michaelyblam]

Good choice. I like all the Springbank whiskies except the new ones when they put into funny casks...

I also like the Macallan 18 and also Highland Park 18, Oban 14 as well as the hard to find Littlemill 8 years old...

[ReginMoerk]

Speaking of pronouncing words correctly. It is NOT pronounced BOWmore but bowMORE.

[jedgq2]

I find Talisker's signature finish is peppery. And, yes lagavulin I would have to agree lagavulin really doesn't have distinct characteristics, but rather hidden depths.

[michaelyblam]

Some of my all time favourite distilleries are Lagavulin, Macallan, Highland Park, Oban, Talisker, Little Mill, Edradour, Balvenie, Linkwood, Mortlach, Glenfarclas...I had a Benriach lately - it's excellent. For Talisker, the original 10 is the best. The 18 is excellent but a tad sweet and less youthful.

[somk2]

Michael, have you been able to taste the Lagavulin 21 *just released* ? I'd love to hear your opinion on that one :D

Thanks for the cool reviews !

[michaelyblam]

I am sorry for the late reply. No I have not had a chance to taste Lagavulin 21. I would also love to taste Lagavulin Double Matured too. I had the Lagavulin 12 Cask Strength recently. It's no bad but still prefers the 16.

[Gremlov]

Lagavulin is the best whisky in the whole wide world, I have tasted ALL Islay malts but this one is by far the best.

I started drinking it when I was 16 and had a job in a bar and our Boss "rewarded" us with one small glass of it every night after closing time.A very nice Boss that was. When I finally left town to go to college he gave me a whole bottle of it and it lasted about 6 month because I wouldn´t dare to just guzzle it down.

But caol ila is fine with me too

[michaelyblam]

I LOVE Lagavullin 16. In fact I will be opening a new bottle tonight to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving! It the best thing after a sumptuous turkey dinner!

[Gremlov]

I hope you don´t drink it all at once, but I could understand if you did :)

And by the way I strongly recommend you to have a nice cuban cigar along with your whisky, it fits in perfectly with the smokey flavour.

greeting to canada and a nice thanksgiving

[michaelyblam]

I am tempted but I do not smoke as I am a pretty serious sportsman. I loved smoking a pipe but I refrain myself from doing it now again for the sake of my competitive sports. Pipe smoking is heavenly...

[Gremlov]

Depends on what you put in your pipe mate

[travelswell]

I really appreciate you commentary. Well done!!!

best regards

douglas

[Jhorus20]

How do like the Laphroaig 10 year? I really enjoy the very strong peaty presence and the smokiness of this single malt. What are the major differences to the Lagavulin 16years? I am more familiar with the Laphroaig 10 year and I remember it to have some similarities with the Lagavulin (maybe I' m wrong)....

[michaelyblam]

The differences between Laphroaig 10 and Lagavulin 16 would be: Laphroaig is more volatile (medium body), more medicinal / old hospital disinfectant characters and more salty seaweed but less complex while as Lagavulin is sweeter, smokier with more sherry imparted personality and with a richer and rounder body. Both are classic expressions of Islay malts.

[fuckyourmamma]

Amazing how people can have so many different ideas about the same whisky. I remember sampling Lagavulin and thinking it the biggest peat monster out there. Laphroaig has alot of peat, but a lot of sweetness beforehand. To each is own. Very complex, like each human being.

[twinchimneys]

The link is search

Iain Chlinn Chuaich Karen Matheson

If you wish to hear true Highland Gaelic

You are welcome anytime.

[twinchimneys]

Tapadh leibh,

As to the Lagavulin in origin, the pronunciation in Highland Gaelic is Ìle, or in phonetics ee-luh.

I also believe that you would enjoy a most beautiful voice with yer dram. Please allow me to offer a link.

[mf103]

Lagavulin 16yr. CLASSIC whisky.

[michaelyblam]

Lagalulin 16 - for sure an all time classic

[StamfordBridge]

Thank you for that! Perhaps a show that takes a limited comparative survey of Scotch whiskies would also be good (i.e, rather than describing just one, explaining points of contrast and comparison among several).

[BlackProteus]

I'm curious about the new international whiskies, like those from Japan, and even a scotch style whisky from Nova Scotia in Canada. It would be wonderful to hear your thoughts on these, or even some Irish.

[michaelyblam]

Although I get offered by distillers free samples every now and then, I choose to buy my own samples to taste to maintain my independent and unbiased appraisal. Thus, the bottles I open will be limited and remains so. I would absolutely love to taste 'International' stuffs for you when the opportunity comes. Thanks for watching - keep up with the whisky/whiskey treasure hunt! p.s. I love IRISH whiskies!

[malenchenko]

There's a refined version of absinthe branded as absente by the way. My friend say it tastes like pernod.

[schutzo83]

i can second that - because absenta has a "wormwood-free" version for the american market. And this one is really close to pastis. (wormwood is by american law forbidden in drinks)

[michaelyblam]

NO! Even though I lived in Switzerland for 3 years when I was a kid! I mainly taste the following products. Sparkling wines, white wines, red wines, dessert wines, beer of different styles and also whiskies (mainly Scotch and Irish but mostly single malts). I have probably tasted an estimation of 5000-7000 samples in my life.

[schutzo83]

very nice, but one sees, that you are usually a wine-taster ;)

keep on!

[michaelyblam]

I do taste wine and beer more as they are more popular and I have more requests from friends who drink wine and beer rather than whiskies especially single malts. There are no boundary that one has to be a wine taster so one cannot taste others stuffs. Personally, I DO NOT taste anything like cocktails or liqueurs that are not made from pure fruits or grains.

[schutzo83]

Thanks for explaining,

Have you ever tasted Absinthe? (I mean Swiss or French Absinthe)