From using locally grown barley, to bottling their whiskies far younger than what was considered acceptable, to producing the most heavily peated malts in the world by an order of several magnitudes, Bruichladdich has repeatedly broken the mold and made delicious whiskies while doing so. The bottle design of Laphroaig vs Ardbeg is not important to consider (for some), but it shows how the brands present their spirits. Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment 4. Laphroaig 10 - 38.95 ($51): Famously medicinal due to the cresols that sneak in. [table id=30 /] Its the same from nose, initial sip, on to the palate and in the finish. Nu hjs priserna p sprit igen. Lagavulin, which is considered to be the smokiest whisky by neophytes, is actually only peated to just 40-45 ppm. Their 10-year-old cask strength is a must-try starter whisky for the peat-curious, but for those who want to move into more rarefied air, the 25-year-old, which makes an appearance every year or two, is worth searching out. A rich flavour explosion, I've heard it described as the "depth charge" of whiskies - very popular with experienced drinkers for its complexity and long finish. Lagavulin/Laphroaig/BenRiach/Bruichladdich/iStock/Uproxx, Ten Great Single Malt Whiskies For Fans of Smoke, GloRilla, Ice Spice, And The Carefree Black Girl Backlash, Karol G Tells Us About Her Most Personal Album Yet, Maana Ser Bonito, And Collaborating With Shakira, The Rundown: Between Cocaine Bears And Maple Syrup Heists, Margo Martindale Is Absolutely Thriving In 2023. Ardbeg Distillery is situated on the south coast of the isle of Islay. Its herbal, smoky, slightly medicinal, and perfect for slow sipping near the ocean or in front of a painting of the sea. Lagavulin and Laphroaig are single malt whisky expressions made from pure malted barley sourced from a single distillery within the Island of Islay in Scotland. Bottled at 43% abv, Lagavulin 16 has a slightly higher abv than Laphroaig 10 at 40% abv. ), 10 Best 10 Year Old Bourbons & Scotch Whiskies, [] Learn how it compares to the Lagavulin 16! Nothing on this website should be taken as professional advice and we always encourage responsible drinking. My final point is I prefer Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 over the current version of Lagavulin 16 and it's not close. Located on the Isle of Islay, Laphroaig and Ardbeg have unique characteristics. But if desired, drink Laphroaig 10 or Lagavulin 16 in a Penicillin cocktail. Lagavulin 16 Years Old Reserve Bar $92 AT DUBAIDUTYFREE.COM Lagavulin 16 pleases crowds as the default good Scotch for a reason. Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig were all potential buyers, but Laphroaig ended up walking away as the new owners. Contact at [emailprotected] or learn more about us here. Here is a good starter for the weekend. ), [] 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? Heres a brief of their production process: Casks Used: Ardbeg usually use ex-bourbon casks, but they sometimes use Sherry casks or French oak casks for their other Islay whiskies. Specifically, Ardbeg 10 has 46% ABV, a smooth and refreshing blend you can enjoy alone, while the Laphroaig 10 has a higher ABV of 58.6%, which is best mixed with water. And in recent decades, as single malt mania took hold and whiskyphiles started searching out bolder and more distinctive whiskies, the smoky stuffthe more intense the bettergained a rabid cult following that makes brands likeBruichladdich, Lagavulin and Ardbeg some of the most desirable of all Scotches. It was founded in 1816 by a farmer. Distillation: Laphroaig and Ardbeg spirits undergo distillation twice using wash stills and spirit stills within Islay Island. Required fields are marked *. It is peated to 35 ppm. Its also overrated. Depending on which year you find of this memorable expression, the taste will be subtly different, making each year a new flavor experience. Its got the bones of a Balvenie, with vanilla, honey and ripe pear notes, but its overlaid by a gentle dry smoke that mingles with the other flavors. It was distilled and then matured in a combination of bourbon casks and Oloroso sherry butts for nine years. Creamy vanilla flavors waft alongside the wisps of smoke. In the same year (1815), Alexander MacDougall founded the Ardbeg Distillery within Islay Island two miles away from Laphroaigs. I like a scotch that has more bite and/or is peated. The barley is malted using locally sourced peat and seaweed for Maine, which imparts an Islay-like brininess to the whiskey, which is bottled at 45 percent ABV. Next, youll enjoy hints of dried fruits, wildflowers, butterscotch, and bold peaty smoke. Opening a few gifts at my folks, they gave me my own bottle of 10. Cookie Notice Theres terroir in peatsince its composed of partially decomposed vegetation, what grows in the area affects the aroma and the flavor of the peat smoke. I just got my brother his first bottle of Ardbeg 10 and he is loving it. Well, while its high quality and affordable, there are much better blended whiskies on the market for you to discover. But Glenlivet and/or peat fans dont have to imagine. 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. Won Gold medal in the2015San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Liquor Laboratory is intended for adults over the age of 21 and the legal drinking age. Lagavulin 16 years price costs 46 to 50 , money well spent. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Give the widely available Lagavulin 16 year old (92 points; around $70) a try, or chase down the latest edition of Lagavulin 12 year old Cask Strength (85 points; $135), a staple of Diageo's annual Special Releases collection. This is the bottle for peat beginners. This configuration of one of the best-known Compass Box expressions debuted in 2019 with a simpler and older blend of malts, consisting almost entirely of Islay stalwarts Caol Ila and Laphroaig. The Week of Peat employs Highland peat, which is found inland, rather than the maritime Islay peat, and it imparts a more earthy flavor to the whisky. Take a sip and youll find flavors of pipe tobacco, raisins, sticky toffee pudding, and campfire smoke. But two distilleries Ardbeg and Laphroaig use peated barley in their mash [1] to produce peated whisky. Toiteach a Dha is the first peated malt to be added to the brands permanent range. Corryvreckan named for a nearby whirlpool in the sea is a perfect blend of those two notes. If youre ready to level up to a bolder, brasher, more high-proof version thats aged for ten years in ex-bourbon barrels before being bottled at cask strength, Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength is the bottle for you. Bushmills Has Dropped a New 30-Year-Old Whiskey in Time for St. Paddys Day, From Kenyan Gin to Indian Whisky: 11 Outstanding Spirits From Around the World. The 8-year-old is the most affordable at around $60 per 750ml (MSRP). Hopefully this is a harbinger of Nordic whiskies to come. I really loved them both due to how smooth and easy drinking they are. - Several usually drink Laphroaig, but enjoy Ardbeg when they get it. Ardbeg is slightly less medicinal than Laphroaig, however, it is more balanced and complex. But if youre used to the whisky flavoring, go for Lagavulin 16yo. More intensely peated are Laphroaig 10, Lagavulin 16, Talisker 10, and Ardbeg 10. The finish is dry, warming, and ends with a nice combination of vanilla, smoke, and brine. The Ardbeg 10 yo every time. While you can both of these whisky expressions in cocktails, depending on your preference, it is recommended to drink them neat or with a few drops of water. Mind you I enjoy the Ardbeg 10, and their other offerings from the distillery have plenty of character, but the Ardbeg 10 is quite one dimensional to me. Another Islay legend is the Ardbeg and the passion for Ardbeg reaches fever pitch all over the world on Ardbeg Day. Sipping this whisky is like drinking in a swirling, rich, smoky hurricane of flavor. They have strong peated notes. The Laphroaig and Ardbeg distilleries are located on the Isle of Islay, an island in the Hebrides of Scotland. 'xU7jG924' When it comes to peaty, smoky Scotch whiskies, no list is complete without the godfather of all smoke bombs, Octomore. In the blind tasting, against the Ardbeg 10 yo whisky, the difference was even more evident. We offer a unique twist on new-American cuisine - pulling flavors from Asia and Latin America - and pairing our food with specially curated cocktails and an extensive wine, whiskey, and beer list. Lagavulin 11yo Offerman Edition 27.00 Octomore 13.1 48.00 Octomore 13.2 55.00 Laphroaig 25yo Cask Strength 90.00 Bunnahabhain 25yo 120.00 Ardbeg 25yo 160.00 SCOTCH WHISKY 2OZ SPEYSIDE Glenfarclas 12yo 17.00 Craigellachie 13yo 17.00 Glenfiddich 12yo 18.00 Glenrothes 12yo 18.00 But this is far from reality. Aged in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at cask strength, this spirit is the slightly more delicate and refined than its brawny younger siblings, but theres still plenty of peaty smoke and spice, along with a supporting cast of light fruit, vanilla and honey. Comparing Ardbeg & Laphroaig Peated Scotch Whiskies, Makers Mark vs Makers 46 Bourbon: Which is Better? But there's much more to this beating heart of distillation, which has . Lagavulin Aged 16 Years - Review 43% ABV. In 1997, the Lagavulin (the same as Caol Ila) was acquired by a multinational company, Diageo. 'Single' malt whisky is the product of an individual distillery. Caol Ila Unpeated (varies): One of the islands less-known distilleries (though it produces the most whisky,mainly used inblends), Caol Ila releases unpeated whisky fairly regularly that can sometimes be found in specialist shops or online. Its briny, salty, subtly medicinal, and full of potent peat smoke throughout. Bowmore Tempest- 74.95 ($99): A 10-year-old release aged in first fill bourbon casks, this is one glorious stormy whisky. Either way, no offense is meant to the brands called out here. By law, single malt whisky must contain 100% malted barley and should be distilled within a single distillery. Also, if any of these bottles sound good to you, hit the prices to try and a bottle yourself! These listed here are just the tip of the proverbial whisky iceberg. The peatiness is incredibly well balanced against some caramel sweetness, rich, smooth and delicious. It gives a nice balance, making it an impressive Scotch whisky. The Glenlivets sweet, gentle flavor is so at odds with the in-your-face style of typical peated malts that its hard to imagine a combination of the two. The finish is long and warming, with the smoke, sweet caramel and a dash of black pepper. Ardbeg 10 - 41.95 ($56): Where Lagavulin's smoky element is meaty, and Laphroaig's more medicinal, Ardbeg's is earthy. On the palate, youll find hay, dark chocolate, buttery caramel, and woodsmoke. Bottled at a buoyant 80 proof, it may be a little light for devotees of brawnier Islay malts, but its a terrific gateway into the world of peat for Irish whiskey fans, and suitably substantial for peat aficionados looking for a change of pace. Its a weird combination, but a very tasty one. Heres a refresher on peat-smoked whisky. Laphroaig 10 vs Lagavulin 8: Discover the Better! Additionally, the delicate sea notes of both brands are derived from the barrels resting within the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. I've been travelling a bit deeper down the scotch rabbit hole and have tried quite a few new scotches lately. Join us in our intimate speakeasy lounge . Peat lovers and sherry lovers will be equally delighted by this one. Lagavulin, on the other hand, is rarely seen or bottled by the independents. I'd say Lagavulin 8, Talisker 10, Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10, Ardbeg 10 or An Oa (some poo-poo the An Oa, but I find it a nice change of + View Here. Your email address will not be published. Take a sip and youll find notes of campfire smoke, salted caramel, sugar cookies, and spicy cinnamon. It all ends with a warming mouthful of immersive campfire smoke. Your email address will not be published. function(jwInstance){ Ardbeg Uigeadail- 56.95 ($75): Known as "the oogie" by geeks, a classic. Although it has some sweetness, the spice of the smoke dominates the flavor profile. Light and nippy on the tongue but . Highland whiskies vary from sweet honey and heather to bold spice to smoke bombs. So, now that I've been tasting and trying all sorts of scotch since I wanted to give it another go. Alexander Johnston and Donald Johnston founded the Laphroaig distillery, and they named it after the lands area of Loch Laphroaig on the south coast of the island of Islay in 1815. 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