Scotland, 43%
Many believe that this is one of the oldest distillery sites in Scotland.In 1816 local farmer and distiller John Johnston founded the first legal distillery here at Lagavulin (pronounced Laga-voolin,after the Gaelic Laggan Mhouillin,"the hollow where the mill s').
Today,the four onion-shaped stills at Lagavulin are neatly tucked into a whitewashed jumble of buildings by the sea on Islay's (pronounced Eye-la) rocky southern shore,guarded by the imposing ruin of Dunyvaig Castle.
There's nothing hurried about life on Islay or about dark,intense Lagavulin,which receives the slowest distillation of any Islay malt,then spends sixteen years in old oak casks before being bottled.
Pungent and potent,this is the great Islay malt.With richly peaty,deep,smoky flavours,it has an intense,long,ambrosial finish.
Lagavulin is the majestic Islay destination on a journey around Scotland's six malt whisky making regions.
Nose: More like Lapsang Souchong tea than Lapsang Souchong! One of the smokiest noses from Islay. It's big, very, very concentrated, and redolent of iodine, sweet spices, good, mature Sherry and creamy vanilla. Stunning.
Palate: Very thick and rich. A massive mouthful of malt and Sherry with good fruity sweetness, but also a wonderful sweetness. Big, powerful peat and oak.
Finish: Long, spicy finish, figs, dates, peat smoke, vanilla.
