Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1989

After trying the superlative Lagavulin 16 years, we decided to sample the Lagavulin Distillers Edition to see if they could improve on an already excellent whisky. The Distillers Edition series was created by Diageo to give a new dimension to the classic malts that they own. Essentially, it is the same whisky but 'finished' in a cask which previously held wine. In the case for Lagavulin, it is double matured in a full bodied Pedro Ximenez Sherry cask. My guess is that they wanted to balance this powerful malt with the sweetness of sherry. Here are the results:

The Review


Taste Profile


The Scoring

Conclusion: The pungence of the sherry cask is very apparent when you smell or taste it. Yet the peaty, powerful character of Lagavulin still shines through as these two distinct flavours compete with each other for your attention. An interesting experiment and a great dram that is easy to drink. Nonetheless, we still prefer the original undiluted thank you very much!

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Tonight we are going to try the "Rare and Exclusive", award winning Johnnie Walker Blue Label. According to the website (www.johhniewalker.com), it is made of the rarest malts handpicked from a range of exclusive distilleries. One of the distilleries includes the relatively unknown Royal Lohnagar, a small distillery situated on the boundaries of Balmoral, the British Royal Family's holiday home. The website also nonchalantly states that it has *gasp* "superior grains", a phrase that would surely put off any single malt connosieurs.

The Review


Taste Profile


The Scoring

Conclusion: Tis' a good whisky with excellent balance and sweet, fruity tones and understated peat. The Blue Label feels like a mellower, smoother and more refined version of the Black Label. It is always a great gift or drink to splash out at events as it is branded as a luxury whisky. However, is it worth the hefty price tag (US$200)? We don't think so. You are paying for the great marketing and salaries of the Mclaren Formula 1 Team. You will be better off doing more research and finding something more interesting and better value at the same price.

Ballantine's 17 Years

Ballantine's is another popular brand in the world of whisky. Tonight we will try the 17 year variety. While it is a blend (I can see all you snobby 'Single Malt Only' connossieurs looking the other way), we've heard good things about this bottling. Let's take a sip...

The Review

Taste Profile

The Scoring

Comments: This is a wonderfully complex blend that most people would enjoy. We hear it is a common nightcap for the mature crowd.

Scotland vs Ireland (Whisky vs Whiskey) - Lagavulin 16 and Bushmills 16

Here’s an interesting tasting that pits, in our opinion, the best, affordable whiskies which Scotland and Ireland have to offer. Presenting the Lagavulin 16 years versus Bushmills 16 years. Whisky vs. Whiskey (For your info, only in Ireland and United States it is spelled with an additional ‘e’).

The Review

Taste Profile

The Scoring

Lagavulin 16 Years

Comments: Overpowering peat combined with layers of pine, walnuts, dark chocolate and hints of sulphur. Truly one of the great distilleries in the world. A must for any collection.

Bushmills 16 Years

Comments: Still one of my favourite whiskies with its strong nutty and vanilla flavours. It seems to be hard to find outside of Ireland unless you look in specialty shops. Grab it when you see it!

The Verdict

It was a close battle between 2 delicious whiskies but eventually Lagavulin edged out Bushmills as the better whisky. This was a tough decision as Bushmills was the whisk(e)y that introduced me to the water of life.