Lagavulin 1995 Friends of the Classic Malts Tasting Notes and Ratings.

Lagavulin 1995 Friends of the Classic Malts

Added on Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 06:14 PM

Bottler:

Age:	12 yrs	Type:	Scotch
Vintage:	1995	Subtype:	Single Malt
ABV:	48.00 %	Region:	Islay
Price:	$90	Availability:	Overseas Wide

Bottled 2008.

Member Ratings and Notes

Chris

N: Intense smoke, very medicinal, much sweeter on the nose than the 16 year with some berry notes and something a tad funky. Ah! Got it, its a very slight, almost undetectable wisp of sulfur (the good kind).
P: The palate is actually much closer to the 16, slightly more oily, a bit less peaty (I'm tasting them side by side). Its more mellow, despite its younger age and higher abv. The 16 has a honey and heather aspect to it, however, that is missed here.
F: Get a little bit of purple fruit in the finish, but the sherry cask influence is relatively mild.
Well, I just finished both glasses and they are both damn fine malts.

Sku

Nose: Huge peat, sea air, it shouts Islay.
Palate: Yeah, this is Lagavulin. Deep, chewy, smoke first, then a slight sweentess (and a touch of sherry?) underneath.
Finish: Pure smoky goodness.

This lacks the younger qualities typical of a 12 year old. Great stuff. Very balanced.

Adam

Nose of smoke, iodine, hints of hickory bbq. Occasionally something putrid yet still inviting.

Palate is rather sweet and delivers more than advertised by the nose. Smokey with oranges, lemons, coffee hints. Water improves and brings out more sweetness. Smoke ramps up in the finish and takes over, peppery.

It's tasty, but I find it challenging to drink at length. For me, it's kind of over-the-top with the smoke and tar stuff. B/B-

Ries

n: red fruit jam, heavy peat smoke that smells of the sea, iodine, and plastic. Wooden matchsticks, BBQ meat char, and green grapes with an element of youthful sweetness.

t: a knockout punch of peat smoke and resin. A bit of red fruit sweetness mixed with the brine and ash. The European oak cask is subdued here. Oily finish with vanilla and maritime elements showing. Reminds me of campfire coffee, bitter and condensed; the smoke and ash last forever.

[bottle 10160, distilled 1995] B.

Dan

No notes. [6/9/13]

Leave Talkback