It’s mid November, where the sun’s rays creep well into the evenings, the six-sevens. The weather seems to debate the seasons with the nights on a few days being unusually chilly. Being from the Southern hemisphere, mind you we are half way past spring when the temperature should be hitting the late 20s consistently. I don’t mind the aberrations, another reason perhaps to stain my tumbler with a potent Islay. The type that fills the room with a phenolic, herbal smoked charm, a bit like an incense (or maybe not)!
The Lagavulin is no stranger here, their 16 YO is a favourite amongst peat lovers and an infamous Islay. Foraying into travel retail, the distillers released a 10 YO expression back in 2019, taking middle ground between their youngest 8 and their older 12 YO expression. Aged with whiskies no lesser than 10 years old, the whisky is a vat of spirits matured in ex-bourbon casks, in addition to freshly charred rejuvenated American oak casks.
ABV : 43%
Eye : Deep Copper | Artificial Colouring
Nose : Vanilla shortcake with a pinch of spice, infused with maritime influences, olive brine, green pepper and cardboard. There are phenolic notes, cigarette ash and moist wood, with hints of citrus zest, menthol and cinnamon sticks.
Taste : Fruity, smoky and sweet, followed by brine, grain and earthy notes. There are mild hints of strawberries and vanilla; layered with medicinal, phenolic, charred wood and mellowed honey, spiced nuances.
Finish : Vanilla, dried fruits and seaweed with spiced, herbal, smoked nuances.
The 10 is rather nimble and light for an Islay; and though it has all the makings of a Lag, it does seem a bit mute. There’s breadth, a real good handful with fruity, spiced nuances, there’s peat and smoke too; but depth is what seems to be amiss. The lower ABV also had toned down the dram density; and I wish they hadn’t toned down the smoke, and the phenolic influences.
At AUD $120 it’s not offensive, but very promising, and while it does have all the makings of a winner it does let you down. It’s a subtle reflection of the distillery’s true potential but could have been structured better. All in all, a dram that is mediocre, not short of highlights, but isn’t as brawny as its other main stream siblings.
Slainte!
