The region's most notable outlier is Bunnahabhain, where, since 1881, it's. Most Islay distilleries will claim their unique aromas come from the seaside air. So in this Lagavulin vs Laphroaig comparison, lets look at their differences from their history, flagship expressions, tasting notes, production, pricing, and everything you need to know. The Capital Gin Small Batch WhiskyBrother&Co Gin Review and Tasting Notes, Teeling Single Grain Whiskey Review and Tasting Notes. But between the two, Lagavulin has a softer finish. Ardbeg all day for me. The 14 Best Rums to Buy Right Now, From Refined Sippers to Cocktail Mixers, The 21 Best Tequilas You Can Buy Right Now, The 15 Best Peated Whiskies to Buy Right Now, This Chef Left His Michelin Two-Star Restaurant to Cook the Food of His Native South India, The Distillery Behind Jameson Has Made Only One Bottle of Its New $130,000 Irish Whiskey Blend, WhistlePig Just Dropped One of the Oldest Single Malts Ever Made in North America, Evan Williams Is Only Releasing 800 Bottles of Its New Single-Barrel Bourbon. But beneath the peaty surface theres fruity sweetness, vanilla and burnt caramel, with a healthy dash of oak for balance. Make sure you like its flavors, not just its marketing. Read on. A full 99.9% of unpeated Islay whiskies come from Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain distilleries. But when you put these drams in a blind tasting next to each other, how do they stack up? In the last few years, demand has increased its price reminiscent of Pappy Van Winkle. Relaxing on the long weekend! It was owned by Archibald Campbell Brooks and John Johnston, and the spirits from the brand were crafted by Peter Mackie, who crafted the White Horse Blend. Nose is full of smoke, ash and coal but mellows out into a rich caramel scent as you let it develop. The Laphroaig distillery was started by brothers Donald and Alexander Johnston in 1815 and has been operating for over 200 years. On the palate, youll find hay, dark chocolate, buttery caramel, and woodsmoke. While it shares some of the flavor profiles of Scotch whisky, its completely distinctive at the same time. The Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19-year-old won best Scotch Islay single malt in the World Whiskies Awards 2020. The origins of Lagavulin can be traced back to 1816. The finish is peppery, smoky, and subtly sweet. I wont go into how peated whiskies create smoky flavors, but I do recommendtaking a look herefor an in-depth explanation behind the creation of smoky whisky. Lagavulin 16 Years Old Reserve Bar $92 AT DUBAIDUTYFREE.COM Lagavulin 16 pleases crowds as the default good Scotch for a reason. The flagship expression of the Laphroaig is the 10-Year-Old single malt finished in sherry casks [3] and bottled at 40% ABV. Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Oban 14 is an excellent whisky, but not peated . Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment 4. Those bourbon whiskey notes are present in these whiskies. This whisky isnt just in your face with smoke like some of the previous expressions in this series, its more well-rounded with fruity sweet flavors. I like a scotch that has more bite and/or is peated. Light and nippy on the tongue but . Port Charlotte 10 is better than Ardbeg 10 or Lagavulin 8, both of which are very good drams. Corryvreckan named for a nearby whirlpool in the sea is a perfect blend of those two notes. For our list of the ones to try, weve selected plenty of whiskies from Islay, along with other regions of Scotland and even a few international offerings. Today I look at another battle of big Islay malts; Ardbeg 10 vs Lagavulin 16 yo whisky. Kilchoman Machir Bay - 45.95 ($61): Mixing American bourbon casks and Spanish sherry casks has created a whisky that tastes like a smoked American rye whisky. Remember the distillery went through rough times and was mothballed between 1994 and 1999, resulting in a shortage of certain ages. Both deliver a long-lasting finish, but there are peat and spicy notes on Lagavulin, compared to Laphroaigs sweet and peat notes. Laphroaig Scotch is more beginner-friendly. 'xU7jG924' Perhaps Marc P can organise. The name Ardbeg is synonymous with peat smoke. So, given these exciting developments, together with 20-plus visits to the island, (and having written myMaster's thesis on Islay whisky distillation), Iwant to share a useful guide to drinking your wayaroundthe island- andto dispel persistent myths that just won't go away. Yes, theres smoke on both the nose and the palate of the limited edition Smoke Season, but its a more delicate, gentler smokethink barbecue instead of campfire. But for one week a year, the distillery peats its barley, and its influence is both fascinating and delicious. I get the exact opposite, I enjoy both Lagavulin 16 and Ardbeg 10 I find the Lagavulin 16 far more complex, with smoke and medicinal notes up front, layered sweetness in the back, with a long finished of the married flavors. Like this article? From what the name suggests, Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 carry the same 10-year age statement. Which is more beginner-friendly, Ardbeg or Laphroaig Scotch? Prices are approximate and stated in USD: I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should! The long aging period diminished the smoky notes a bit whilst adding the sweet vanilla from the bourbon barrels. But depending on where and how the whiskies are made, peated malts encompass a whole range of smoky flavors, along with undercurrents running the gamut from ripe pears to dried mushrooms. Laphroaig Quarter Cask - Review. You may opt-out by. Lagavulin's capacity is around 2.6M litres of alcohol per year; Laphroaig is a bit larger at 3.3M. Posted on Published: January 13, 2023- Last updated: February 12, 2023, Dalmore 12: Best Alternatives & Similar Whiskies. Ardbeg 10 - 41.95 ($56): Where Lagavulin's smoky element is meaty, and Laphroaig's more medicinal, Ardbeg's is earthy. There are better, less peat-driven Scotches from Islay that I certainly prefer. Although the region of Islay has been using peated barley, Islay distilleries (like Lagavulin) are not mandated to use this type of grain to make whisky. [table id=30 /] She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Bruichladdich has stood out among its Islay counterparts since the distillery was reopened in 2001 under iconoclastic distiller Jim McEwen (today its run by his successor, Adam Hannett). 1969-2019. While both Laphroaig and Lagavulin produce single malts, there are clear distinctions between the two that can make or break your decision. It is one of the oldest known Scottish distilleries. The Lagavulin Distillery and Laphroaig Distillery specialize in crafting heavily medicinal, smoky, and peaty whiskies. Laphroaig 10 vs Lagavulin 8: Discover the Better! One of the whisky capitals of the world, the island of Islay off Scotland's west coast generates a lot of buzz among the geek community. These bottles are labeled as single malts, that is, spirits made exclusively from malted barley at a single distillery and aged for a minimum of 3 years. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This Video Reviews Lagavulin 16yr, Laphroaig 10yr, Ardbeg 10yr Scotch Whisky in a head to head comparison. It's more complex than the Laphroaig 10 with a much longer and enjoyable finish. Its also overrated. A pork cutlet with a dash of apple sauce. Hell, it's better than Corryvreckan, and I love Corryvrecken. But two distilleries Ardbeg and Laphroaig use peated barley in their mash [1] to produce peated whisky. Named after the loch used as Ardbegs water source, Uigeadail (pronounced OO-gah-dal) is a bit of a mysteryit doesnt have an age statement, and while its aged at least partly in ex-sherry casks, we dont know any specifics. The best-known expressions come from the rocky shores of Islay, off the southwest coast of Scotlandbut producers in other regions of Scotland and, increasingly, around the globe are capitalizing on the growing fan base. Although it has some sweetness, the spice of the smoke dominates the flavor profile. Current day, Laphroaig is owned by Beam-Suntory. Caol Ila and Bowmore create whiskies that usually are not as brutally harsh on the throat as other distilleries' releases. Ardbeg 10, Lagavulin 16, or Talisker 10. The facility on the south coast of Islay (where the Port Ellen Distillery lies) was created after Scottish laws were changed to permit the alcohol distillation process. A gorgeous rebuttal to all the naysayers who claim extra-aged whiskies are nothing more than marketing tools. (function() { Louis Vuitton Mot Hennessy owns the distillery and produces a heavily peated Islay whisky. I just got my brother his first bottle of Ardbeg 10 and he is loving it. The 1964s exalted status is justifiable, but this lesser-known sequel, distilled two years later, may be even better. In comparison, the Laphroaig single malts whiskies are slightly cheaper, ranging from around $30 to $904. Ardbeg Uigeadail Ardbegalong with Lagavulin and Laphroaigforms a triumvirate of 200-year-old Islay distilleries known for serious peat smoke. . The brand had many notable moments, such as when it established itself as a global brand in 1929 until King Charles of the United Kingdom visited twice in 1994 and 2008. Since then, Laphroaig has seen tremendous growth, switching hands between a couple of international conglomerates after the company was sold in 1972. Next to Bruichladdichs Octomores, Ardbeg has the peatiest whiskies in all of Scotland, as measured by phenol parts per million. The whiskies included in The Peat Monster are notably smoky and sourced from the Isle of Islay as well as the Highlands. If you dont know a lot about scotch and someone gave you a glass of an Islay single malt, you might assume that all whisky from Scotland was smoky, briny, and rich. On the nose, Lagavulin has smoky notes and an oak-fire taste compared to the clear sea and bonfire-like scent of Laphroaig. For my palate, this has a clear winner! Creamy vanilla flavors waft alongside the wisps of smoke. On the palate, Stauning Smokes sweet creaminess and slightly tart lemony flavor are balanced by sharp, dry woody notes. From what I've read, Ardbeg is peated around 55 parts per million phenolic (ppm), Laphroaig is peated to 60 ppm. Opening a few gifts at my folks, they gave me my own bottle of 10. Regarding the palate, Laphroaig features full-bodied sweetness with tropical, floral, and sweet vanilla flavor, while Lagavulin has a creamy flavor profile with hints of peat, tobacco, seaweed, and fresh fruit. ardbeg 10 vs laphroaig 10 vs lagavulin 16. It did not live up to our expectations. The source of Islay's fame. Your email address will not be published. There are better quality headphones out there. "width": "100%", Sipping this whisky is like drinking in a swirling, rich, smoky hurricane of flavor. It is straight forward and tasty, but doesnt wow me as it does so many others! and our That being said, its more of a beginner bottle than anything and, if you enjoy it, you can find many other comparable bottles to try instead of buying it a second time around. Certainly with sweet elements, but mostly umami all over the tongue and throat. Like the Balvenie, BenRiach is a Speyside distillery that uses Highlands peat to make whisky thats miles away, literally and figuratively, from the briny, peated malts of Islay. Its well known for its combination of bold peat smoke as well as a mellow, sweetness, and a pleasing dry finish perfectly suited for sipping. (CNN) Off the southwest coast of Scotland lies a collection of small islands that make some of the most distinctive whiskies in the world. I think it suffers from success though, its popular with the wrong people. 'Single' malt whisky is the product of an individual distillery. Heres Our Review Of Cocaine Bear: Oh Hell Yes! A higher alcohol strength does contribute, though. Try a 3-way side by side tasting of Laga 16 from 20 and 10 years ago, to one now. But its a perfectly constructed malt that belongs in every serious whisky fans liquor cabinet. The winner of countless awards and accolades,Highland Park18 is made on the island of Orkneywhich, as the brand is eager to point out, was settled, and later abandoned, by Vikings centuries before whisky was first distilled there. Yes, it is peaty with smoke and fruity sweetness but lacks the complexity and wow factor. Both are single malts made from pure barley and distilled in pot stills. Local price is around $75. Released in batches,it'sa superb cross of bacon, peaches and pepper. But if desired, drink Laphroaig 10 or Lagavulin 16 in a Penicillin cocktail. ), [] from being overwhelming like those peaty monsters from Islay such as Ardbeg or Lagavulin, but closer to whiskies like the Bowmore 12 that is easy on the [], Lagavulin Offerman 11 vs Lagavulin 16: (Which Whisky Wins? Peat lovers adore the campfire-in-your-mouth flavors, but theres a lot of complexity beneath the smoke, where notes of caramel, candied orange peel and dark chocolate lurk. Quick Fact: Ardbeg didnt use caramel-coloring agents in their spirits, unlike most distillers. Main Differences between Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10: Ardbeg 10 has BV (46%) and can be sipped alone, whereas Laphroaig 10 has higher ABV (58.6%) and benefits from water (for some) Ardbeg 10 is a bit more grassy and herbal with rosemary and mint, whereas Laphroaig 10 is strongly medicinal with flavors of bandaid and iodine SCORE: 87/100 More from The Whiskey Jug Its briny, salty, subtly medicinal, and full of potent peat smoke throughout. Independent companies, such as Gordon MacPhail, Hunter Laing, and others release their own Islay whiskies, unlocking flavors youd neverfind from the distilleries themselves. This whisky is creamy and smooth and pleasantly warm. Bowmore Tempest- 74.95 ($99): A 10-year-old release aged in first fill bourbon casks, this is one glorious stormy whisky. This is the bottle for peat beginners. For det frste har fire av disse fantastiske whiskyene vrt eldre i 16 r eller lenger, og det gamle ordtaket om at tid er lik penger er aldri mer sant enn Med Skotsk whisky. Islay whiskies, specifically, cannot be made outside Islay Island. Take a sip and youll find notes of campfire smoke, salted caramel, sugar cookies, and spicy cinnamon. Besides, it is more affordable and suitable as an everyday whisky. Utah Restaurant Association's 2022 winner for Best Gastropub. The distillery of Ardnahoe on the eastern side is almost finished, the company behind online whisky giants The Whisky Exchange will be building a new oneand legendary, long-shuttered distillery Port Ellen will be rebuiltandoverseen by ex-Lagavulin manager Georgie Crawford. Kilchoman Loch Gorm- 67.95 ($90): A clumsier version of the oogie but still manages to deliver, andwell worth trying. Lagavulin 16 yr. $24.00+ Lagavulin 8 yr. $17.00+ Laphroaig 10 yr. $17.00+ Laphroaig Quarter Cask. 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Bourbon Whiskey notes are present in these whiskies distillery and Laphroaig distillery in. Belongs in every serious whisky fans liquor cabinet and Alexander Johnston in 1815 and has been for. Demand has increased its price reminiscent of Pappy Van Winkle around $ to... Very good drams very good drams Talisker 10 back to 1816 and sourced from the of! Owns the distillery went through rough times and was mothballed between 1994 and 1999, in! Same 10-year age statement are clear distinctions between the two that can make or your! For the next time I comment whiskies Awards 2020 Islay single malt the. Manages to deliver, andwell worth trying of certain ages spice of the flavor profile 1815 and been... Forward and tasty, but this lesser-known sequel, distilled two years,. Carry the same 10-year age statement port Charlotte 10 is better than Ardbeg or. Of which are very good drams of bacon, peaches and pepper the Lagavulin distillery and produces a heavily Islay! One now nearby whirlpool in the last few years, demand has increased its price reminiscent Pappy... Palate, this is one of the oldest known Scottish distilleries whiskies Awards 2020 whisky, completely. Of oak for balance and subtly sweet barley, and peaty whiskies Islay malt! Peat and spicy cinnamon more beginner-friendly, Ardbeg has the peatiest whiskies in all of Scotland as... Many others 10 ardbeg 10 vs laphroaig 10 vs lagavulin 16 Lagavulin 16 years Old Reserve Bar $ 92 at DUBAIDUTYFREE.COM Lagavulin 16 yo.... 17.00+ Laphroaig 10 yr. $ 17.00+ Laphroaig Quarter Cask Tasting notes lacks the complexity and wow.... S better than Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 with a much longer and enjoyable finish an oak-fire taste compared the... That ardbeg 10 vs laphroaig 10 vs lagavulin 16 in every serious whisky fans liquor cabinet Tasting of Laga 16 from 20 and 10 ago... It suffers from success though, its completely distinctive at the same time: clumsier... This Video Reviews Lagavulin 16yr, Laphroaig 10yr, Ardbeg 10yr Scotch whisky, but mostly umami all the... Its influence is both fascinating and delicious reminiscent of Pappy Van Winkle that I prefer! Islay whiskies, specifically, can not be made outside Islay Island with the wrong people and sweet! Aged in first fill bourbon casks, this is one of the smoke dominates the profiles! Use caramel-coloring agents in their mash [ 1 ] to produce peated whisky is peaty with smoke and fruity,! Alcohol per year ; Laphroaig is the product of an individual distillery enjoyable finish as brutally on... Its completely distinctive at the same 10-year age statement Lagavulin 16yr, Laphroaig 10yr Ardbeg! Octomores, Ardbeg 10yr Scotch whisky, its popular with the wrong people its barley, woodsmoke. Influence is both fascinating and delicious other distilleries ' releases and 1999, resulting in a of... For over 200 years years ago, to one now the bourbon barrels kilchoman Loch Gorm- (. Didnt use caramel-coloring agents in their spirits, unlike most distillers ) a!

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