Review #235: Lagavulin Distiller's Edition 2016 (PX Cask)

Islay - 16 - Chill Filtered - e150 Glow - $120 at Binny's - 43%

Diageo's Distiller's Editions are where they bring in cask strength offerings, don't chill filter and let us enjoy the whisky's natural color do some sort of double maturation and increase the price 50%.  The 2016 Lagavulin is double matured with the second maturation being in PX casks.  I am guessing this will be a smoke and sweet dram.  Laga 16 was the whisky that got me into scotch.  However, since I have gotten into scotch, I have had a bit of a falling out with Laga 16.  

Color - Tawny

Nose - Peat - Lapsang tea with smoked salmon, vanilla, porridge, almonds

Palate - Sweet - Candied apples, wet camp fire wood, 

Finish - Medium -  Candied tobacco, bonfires, algae - fades to a plastic bucket flavor.

Overall - 5 - I wish I had some 16 to SbS this with but alas, I don't.  I am not a huge fan of the 16 and this reminds me of the 16 but sweeter.  It feels a bit flimsy in the mouth, the nose is muted and while peat and sweet works, it just is not interesting.  If I were a fan of the 16, I probably would like this as a change of pace.  However, this just falls flat for me.  It could badly use a bit more ABV and I expect more complexity for its price point.  I can never see myself not buying two bottles of ugi/frog CS 10 and buying this instead.  

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5.5 I really enjoyed but it will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Standard Deviation 0.92

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16