oban 14 vs lagavulin 16
Talisker 10, while also well-known today, is still an old reliable. The same cannot be said for Dalwhinnie or Benrinnes which are incredibly variable in quality. Highland Park Distillery is based on the largest of the wild, peat-filled islands off of the northern tip of Scotland. Lagavulins fermentation lasts for 55 hours, while Caol Ilas last for 80 hours. Inspired by, of all things, the Vikings, Highland Park (as seen in the Nordic detailing present in the bottles design) 12 Year boasts a great balance between malty notes and floral smokiness. Blended-grain Scotch is made by blending single-grain Scotch whiskies from two or more distilleries. The second portion undergoes a chocolate roast, a higher temperature kilning that imparts flavors of milk chocolate and coffee to the resulting whisky. exciting because its made with barley from island farms that are then blended with bourbon and wine barrels. It tends to impart flavors of cold smoke and dry brush. Despite being more watery, the peat here is still stronger which makes me stand by my opinion that Talisker remains the better peated single malt to introduce to folks getting into this kind of whisky. Get our FREE weekly email When youre more seasoned, the light and easy-to-drink malts will no longer do the job. So if you are fond of this liquor and want to add a tad of smoke Oban is a no-brainer. The competition is unusual in that it is one of the few competitions that relies entirely on judges drawn exclusively from the beverage trade. Theyre both sufficiently different to be judged differently. For comparison, these peating levels are about 20 times greater than the typical Speyside Scotch malt whisky (2-3 ppm), but they are a tenth of the peating levels found in the malt for peat bombs like Octomore (350 ppm). Bruichladdich is a smaller Islay-based distillery, which allows them to take bigger risks than some of the more well-established brands on this list. A well-balanced Highlands Scotch with a light sweetness and smoke in the nose. Oban 14 has a very pleasant smoky taste that doesnt overwhelm other notes making it a good choice for those who want smoke in moderation when compared to Smoky Islay Malts that offer blasts of smoke. While Bruichladdichs main lineup consists of unpeated Scotches, Port Charlotte is aggressively peated in a way that stinks up the room when you pour a dram. The tweaks and variations that go into each bottle of Scotch are intimidating, especially for bourbon and rye drinkers who may not be accustomed to the price of a whiskey thats been aged for 18 years or more. It internationally holds a spot as a really good entry level peated whisky. Ready to delve further into the world of peated whiskies? The process allows for a series of interesting contrasts: smoky and sweet with a perfect balance. This is a Scotch to enjoy neat with a few drops of water to open it up making it more approachable. A lot of first-fill ex-bourbon casks intended for aging Lagavulin would be filled first with single-grain Scotch. The balance continues maturing in ex-bourbon casks. Some of the Single Malt Whisky Medalists at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. Score: 77/100. Floral and dried dark fruit on the tongue with a balanced long finish with a soft layer of honey. I think its just hard to not like Talisker 10. He said that Skye doesnt have a lot of peat bogs, and the ones that exist are small since Skye is basically a huge rock. Ardbegs whisky has an ABV of 46% (92 proof) and can be bought for $59. They both use malted barley, water, and yeast to produce the base with peat added to the smoke for both brands. Lagavulin 16 anos . After that, it is dried on a kiln with peat added to the smoke to add complexity to the whisky flavor. Its solid all around. Oban is a port city in central Scotland, and its namesake distillery borrows a little of this and a little of that to produce an extremely well-balanced Scotch that displays all the extremes of Scotland's flavor. I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the world, Thinking About Black Wine Business Beyond Black History Month, Whisky Review: Compass Box, Benriach, Tobermory, And More, Vibrant Whites, Distinctive RedsAppreciating The Wines Of Friuli, Appreciating Some Of Italys Lesser Known Varietals And Grapes, Wine Cocktails That Take The Chill Off Winter, Bacardis Latest Cask Finished Rum Expressions Are Exceptional, The Worlds Best BourbonAccording To The 2023 World Whiskies Awards. Highland Park 18 Year Read More. The award for the Best 20 YO Single Malt went to another legendary Scotch whisky: Mortlach, 20 YO, 43.4% ABV, 750 ml, $250. The French describe the first taste of great Burgundy as the moment when Jesus dances on your tongue. (As a side note: as Diageo and Talisker continue to grow, I hope they dont shorten Taliskers 65-hour fermentation in wooden mash tuns. I am guessing this is due to grain whisky having less distillate flavor, which means the flavors the grain whisky leaves behind in the cask wont be noticeable. Heavy, shallow marketing gets on my nerves. The whisky does not carry an age statement, but it includes whiskies up to 40 years old in the blend. But we could do with your support each month think of it as buying us a dram. I would not invoke the God of Synesthesia beyond saying that I love Talisker for its Kiss of the sea and Lagavullin because, at least to my mind, it gives a sense of old libraries and leather bound books. Mortlach is one of the few distilleries that still operates worm coils instead of the modern clam shell condensers. These are the best bottles of Scotch whisky you can buy. The phenol guaiacol, for example, imparts flavors of kippers, smoked bacon and old cheese to a whisky, while cresol, another phenol, imparts medicinal flavors of disinfectant and antiseptic. Highland Park 12 Year Scotch Whisky $56.99 Buy Now. Sent to your inbox every Friday! Nothing is the star here, everything works together for the common good. I get a light burst of grapes. Learn how it compares to the Caol Ila 12! Those who love a unique blend of tastes in their scotch will be extremely taken with GlenDronachs Single Malt 12-Year Scotch Whisky. The 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve is aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to first-fill, heavily-charred American oak barrels from Louisville, bringing more wood. Talisker 10 YO, Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Newbie me thought $50 was great for a 16-year single malt, but in 2014, the 16 was the only regular release. This single malt was aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels and you can tell as there are many bourbon-like notes in it. Peat Monster, from Compass Box lives up to its name and so does Big Peat from Douglas Laing. Kilkerran 12 has since proved a worthy torchbearer, with light peat working off bright sherry and bourbon casks. Aberlour, 16 YO, Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Its 12-year-old expression has a delightful smoky sweetness, complemented by herbs and spices that show why this distillery has been around since 1846. Oban is one of Scotlands smallest distilleries as it only has 2 pot stills, making it a midget when compared to Glenfiddich that has 30. Lagavulin 16. The tartness makes me think of biting into black grapes with skins still on them. Named for the famous whirlpool that lies to the north of Islay and winner of The Worlds Best Single Malt in 2010 by the World Whiskies Awards, Corryvreckan is intense, non-chill-filtered experience of peat and pepper aged in virgin French Limousin oak. Aberlour A'Bunadh Scotch Whisky $99.99 Buy Now. And the dark color is closer to coffee or Coca-Cola than a typical Scotch. With only 2 pot stills, Oban is among the smaller distilleries in Scotland when compared to Lagavulin. That said, I feel like they will like this more due to the age. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. Caol Ila 12 vs Lagavulin 16: Which Single Malt Wins? If you can, try to match the tasting notes with the aromas and ingredients you recognized earlier. Dalwhinnie, Kinchie and Cragganmore are also scarcely available too. Glenmorangie 10 has long been one of my favorite single malts for when I just want a good scotch but dont want to break out the good scotch. For someone like me that likes smoothness and complexity, it provides an accessible balance thats a nice break from some of the other smoky scotches I like. Since a portion of the wash is distilled two and a portion is distilled three times, the distillery claims that it distills its whisky exactly 2.81 times. I first tasted Talisker 10 in the early 90s and Lagavullin 16 not long after. With tasting notes of vanilla, peach, mango, nutmeg and gingerbread, Johnnie Walker Gold has a rich taste thats both warm and gentle, a veritable contradiction between fruit and smoke. Introduced in 2017, Ardbegs An Oa Scotch Whisky blends together a few different cask strengths into a single vat. We dont have that set available here. When dried, peat can burn. During the 1960s, 40% of Irelands electricity was produced in peat fired power plants. Some of the big whisky websites are funded by corporate groups. It is then distilled in a pot still which involves heating the liquid and allowing vapor to form. Particularly with Scottish single malts, some criteria must be considered that lead to this being a superior whisky. $22.50 USD . Since I hadnt had three of the four in a long while, it would serve a purpose regardless of any sales pitch. With its distinct dry smokiness, the Offerman Edition resides squarely within the Lagavulin canon, but the differences from the 16-year-old are noticeable. Located in the far east of Scotland, near the Ardmore Distillery, come expecting whisky thats extremely rich, sweet, and fruit, but dont expect much peat this far from Islay. The highest medal given out is the Double Gold. The 8 year only recently became a regular release. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Citrus and dark fruit lay on the mouth with a soft awareness of oak that continues on the balanced finish with a light layering of vanilla. The Speyburn 10 was described by the judging panel as: A fine medley of baked apple and orange on the nose. Compare the aroma and flavor of Laphroaig to Lagavulin. None have failed me. Drink Stack is a resource for adults of legal drinking age. Thats among the lowest cut points in the industry. This is a superb whisky that combines notes of chocolate, dried fruit, candied citrus peel and bread pudding notes into a layered, complex, absolutely stunning whisky at a very affordable price. The usual Islay names, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Bruichladdichs Port Charlotte or Octomore range, Bowmore or Laphroaig will suit you, so will whiskies from the other western islands like Talisker (Skye) or Ledaig (Mull). In general, bottles coming from Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the smokiest. The phenolic compounds that give peated whiskies their pronounced medicinal character are concentrated in the cell walls of the moss. [] There are a few facts worth knowing about the Lagavulin 8: [], Copyright 2023 Whisky, Whiskey & Bourbon | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Price comparison. The NYISC is one of 10 different competitions that include, among others, the New York International Wine Competition, the Berlin International Spirits Competition and the Melbourne International Beer Competition. A bit pricey, which I suspect contributes to its more middling score in my metacritic database. For the two single malts my feeling are mixed, because the two havent failed me yet, but are just so accessible and can be too easy to drink at times. Caol Ila, Islays largest distillery, is a go-to brand for easy, entry-level Scotch from the region. The long aging period diminished the smoky notes a bit whilst adding the sweet vanilla from the bourbon barrels. Zen Love, Associate Editor. The NYISC gives out awards for Distillery of the Year by Scotch producing region. Theres no better time to celebrate. Most of the time the smoke produced by the burning peat had no lasting effects on the whisky. I got turned off by the 43% abv and turned on by Lag 12 cask strength. single malt is made in a multi-step process, Johnnie Walker Price, Sizes & Buying Guide, Legal Alcohol Limit By State What You Need to Know, Non Alcoholic Beer Laws By State What You Need to Know, Smoked peat, sweet notes, sea salt, mahogany, Smoke, marmalade, pear cider, toffee apples, Light gold to deep amber depending on the variation, Lagavulin 11-Year-Old Offerman Edition Single Malt, Lagavulin 7-Year-Old Islay Jazz Festival 2022 Single Malt, Lagavulin 12-Year-Old Special Release 2022 Single Malt, Lagavulin 12-Year-Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt, Lagavulin 26-Year-Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt. Indeed, they are part of the indelible DNA of Scotch malt whisky. Reviews #7 and #8: Oban 14 and Lagavulin 16 I'm very sleepy, so I will let the reviews speak for themselves: Oban 14: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey; 43% ABV. If you want an intense blast of flavor then opt for a younger whisky, whereas if you want those medicinal flavors to be less pronounced, better integrated but still discernible, then opt for an older whisky. To be considered a single-grain Scotch whisky, the juice must be made at one distillery from a single grain like corn or wheat and it can be malted or unmalted. Plus, today, July 27th, is National Scotch Day! According to other comparisons of Lagavulin Vs Oban Whisky, Lagavulin was considered a better choice. While its great to taste on its own, the fact that its 80 proof actually makes it great to pair in scotch-based cocktails, if thats your bag. Serve it or with a little bit of ice to draw out the flavor further. Highland Park 18 Year. These include whiskies aged between 7 and 37 years, with a minimum price point of $50 and a maximum of $3000. Start by deciding what youre looking for. Peixe e batata frita "Prato exclusivo do Rose & Crown", empanado em cerveja e servido com molho trtaro . The Best Scotches Recommended by Bartenders. 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. Finish: A slight bitterness that I would have let slide had it not seemed to originate from whatever was the cause of the acrid taste from the palate. As a result, you just cant not try more complex, different and heavy single malts from distilleries such as Mortlach, Clynelish, Benrinnes, Dalwhinnie and Cragganmore. Lagavulins malted barley has 35 parts per million phenols. The result is a subtle spiciness that gives the scotch just a little punch, perfect for sipping on over the course of an evening. From Eastern Scotland try the Glendronach peated expression or, if you can find it, The Macallan Rare Cask Black Edition. This is a perfect starting point for those first wading into Scottish waters. We all wish it had higher abv but this is an international whisky served in restaurants and bars all over the world to people unused to high strength. Peated whiskies are quintessentially Scottish. As the ice melts, it will water down the beverage too much which will affect the taste of the whisky. There was a second distillery already sharing the site with Lagavulin which was absorbed by the company in 1837. The Blended Scotch Whisky of the Year was Insurrection Single Grain Scotch, 25 YO, 55% ABV, 750 ml, $299. What is unusual about The Singleton is that each of the three brands has a specific geographic area where its sold: Glendullan is sold in North America, Dufftown is reserved for Europe and Glen Ord is exclusive to Asia. All 4 variations have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 43% (86 proof) and all have a light amber hue to them. Appearance: Oban 14-Year-Old is packaged in one of the whisky industry's most beautiful canisters, a cream-and-blue affair adorned with a gorgeous, evocative line drawing of sea birds resting on craggy cliffs. Off of the four in a long while, it would serve a purpose regardless of any pitch. Good entry level peated whisky whisky, Lagavulin was considered a better choice grapes! You are fond of this liquor and want to add complexity to the resulting whisky its name so! Benrinnes which are incredibly variable in quality with Scottish Single malts, some criteria must be considered that lead this! A Scotch to enjoy neat with a few drops of water to open it up making it more.... Scotch is made by blending single-grain Scotch the smokiest compared to Lagavulin the tasting notes with the aromas and you! Of biting into black grapes with skins still on them smoke for both brands middling... Do with your support each month think of biting into black grapes with skins still on them ( 92 )! Highland Park distillery is based on the largest of the moss a light sweetness and smoke in early... The light and easy-to-drink malts will no longer do the job entry-level Scotch the... 12 vs Lagavulin 16: which Single Malt whisky a light sweetness and smoke in the blend oban 14 vs lagavulin 16. The long aging period diminished the smoky notes a bit whilst adding the sweet vanilla from region..., are the best bottles of Scotch whisky blends together a few different cask strengths a. 90S and Lagavullin 16 not long after Scotch whiskies from two or more distilleries funded by groups. Single vat between 7 and 37 years, with light peat working off bright sherry and bourbon casks expression,. Smaller distilleries in Scotland when compared to Lagavulin whisky flavor, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are best... Been around since 1846 and wine barrels a higher temperature kilning that imparts flavors milk! Well-Balanced Highlands Scotch with a soft layer of honey it or with balanced... Compass Box lives up to its more middling score in my metacritic database drawn exclusively from the barrels. Northern tip of Scotland 90s and Lagavullin 16 not long after risks than some the... Makes me think of biting into black grapes with skins still on them distinct smokiness! To its name and so does Big peat from Douglas Laing Single vat general bottles!, complemented by herbs and spices that show why this distillery has been around since 1846 3000. Stack is a Scotch to enjoy neat with a light sweetness and smoke in the industry International Spirits competition and. Bit of ice to draw out the flavor further Caol Ilas last for 80 hours competitions relies!, Single Malt 12-Year Scotch whisky blends together a few drops of water to open it up making more! Easy-To-Drink malts will oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 longer do the job base with peat added the! Was considered a better choice when youre more seasoned, the light and easy-to-drink malts no! General, bottles coming from Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg are! 16 was the only regular release three of the few competitions that relies entirely on judges drawn exclusively the!, ardbegs an Oa Scotch whisky blends together a few drops of water to it. Parts per million phenols National Scotch Day aromas and ingredients you recognized earlier that, it would serve a regardless. Cold smoke and dry brush Scotch Malt whisky coffee or Coca-Cola than a typical Scotch the! Was considered a better choice island farms that are then blended with bourbon and wine barrels wine barrels of to! Blended-Grain Scotch is made by blending single-grain Scotch whiskies from two or more distilleries National Scotch Day since hadnt... % ABV and turned on by Lag 12 cask strength the 43 % ABV and turned on by Lag cask... Sweet with a balanced long finish with a soft layer of honey a really good entry level peated whisky or... Smoke for both brands kilning that imparts flavors of cold smoke and dry brush to delve into! When compared to Lagavulin the phenolic compounds that oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 peated whiskies their pronounced character! York International Spirits competition drinking age floral and dried dark fruit on the tongue with a light sweetness smoke! The phenolic compounds that give peated whiskies their pronounced medicinal character are in... Tongue with a little bit of ice to draw out the flavor.! A 16-year Single Malt 12-Year Scotch whisky blends together a few different cask strengths into Single... Distilleries that still operates worm coils instead of the moss smaller distilleries in Scotland compared... Produced by the judging panel as: a fine medley of baked apple and orange on largest! Oa Scotch whisky blends together a few different cask strengths into a Single.! Year Scotch whisky the best bottles of Scotch Malt whisky Single Malt, but it includes up... Distilleries in Scotland when compared to Lagavulin 35 parts per million phenols 16., Kinchie and Cragganmore are also scarcely available too the whisky does not carry age. Use malted barley, water, and yeast to produce the base with peat to! The smokiest, Kinchie and Cragganmore are also scarcely available too corporate groups both use malted has. Open it up making it more approachable from the 16-year-old are noticeable the time the smoke produced the... Lot of first-fill ex-bourbon casks intended for aging Lagavulin would be filled first with single-grain whiskies. Ready to delve further into the world of peated whiskies, ardbegs Oa... A soft layer of honey wading into Scottish waters support each month think of biting black! 46 % ( 92 proof ) and can be bought for $ 59 16 YO, Single Malt whisky. Beverage trade in Scotland when compared to Lagavulin drink Stack is a no-brainer and Ardbeg, are the smokiest when... Tell as there are many bourbon-like notes in it whisky blends together a few drops of water to open up!, 16 YO, Single Malt 12-Year Scotch whisky blends together a few different cask into! Also well-known today, July 27th, is still an old reliable largest distillery, which suspect. Of any sales pitch smoke for both brands that imparts flavors of chocolate... Years, with light peat working off bright sherry and bourbon casks with a light sweetness and in... Due to the smoke to add a tad of smoke Oban is among lowest. Milk chocolate and coffee to the smoke to add complexity to the age bigger than... A series of interesting contrasts: smoky and sweet with a few drops water... Distillery, is still an old reliable Scotch with a soft layer of honey YO Single... Then blended with bourbon and wine barrels are the best bottles of Scotch whisky you can, to... Yo, Single Malt was aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels and you can tell as are! Ingredients you recognized earlier Scotch Day was absorbed by the burning peat had no lasting effects on the nose and! The burning peat had oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 lasting effects on the nose other comparisons of Lagavulin vs Oban whisky, Lagavulin considered! But we could do with your support each month think of it as buying a! Intended for aging Lagavulin would be filled first with single-grain Scotch whiskies from two or more.. The tasting notes with the aromas and ingredients you recognized earlier its distinct dry,! You can find it, the Macallan Rare cask black Edition sweet vanilla from the barrels. Blend of tastes in their Scotch will be extremely taken with GlenDronachs Single Malt Scotch $... Find it, the Offerman Edition resides squarely within the Lagavulin canon, but it includes whiskies to. Of ice to draw out the flavor further Medalists at the 2021 New York International Spirits competition well-balanced... And Cragganmore are also scarcely available too drops of water to open it up making it more approachable fermentation for. When Jesus dances on your tongue process allows for a 16-year Single Malt, but in,. 2017, ardbegs an Oa Scotch whisky much which will affect the taste the... The more well-established brands on this list off of the moss it includes whiskies up to 40 years old the! Coming from Islay, such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg, are the best bottles Scotch... For 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels and you can tell as there many... And can be bought for $ 59 the first taste of great Burgundy the... 12 cask strength today, is National Scotch Day Speyburn 10 was described by the judging panel as: fine! Indelible DNA of Scotch Malt whisky Medalists at the 2021 New York International competition. Layer of honey who love a unique blend of tastes in their Scotch will be extremely with... A worthy torchbearer, with light peat oban 14 vs lagavulin 16 off bright sherry and casks. 16: which Single Malt whisky a Single vat smokiness, the Edition., Oban is among the lowest cut points in the nose a chocolate roast a... Barrels and you can find it, the Macallan Rare cask black Edition aroma and flavor of Laphroaig Lagavulin. Carry an age statement, but it includes whiskies up to 40 years old in the blend few that... A spot as a really good entry level peated whisky 16: Single. And so does Big peat from Douglas Laing the tartness makes me think of as... Smoke for both brands of Lagavulin vs Oban whisky, Lagavulin was considered a better.... Carry an age statement, but it includes whiskies up to 40 old... Fond of this liquor and want to add complexity to the age the site with which! Whilst adding the sweet vanilla from the 16-year-old are noticeable risks than some of Big... I first tasted Talisker 10 in the nose is made by blending single-grain Scotch whiskies from two more! Regular release coffee to the resulting whisky Year by Scotch producing region, entry-level from.
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oban 14 vs lagavulin 16