Lagavulin 9 Years Old House Lannister

By Barry Bradford on February 19, 2019 • ( Leave a comment )

House Lannister Lagavulin 9 Years Old (48%, OB, 2019)

ABV: 48%
Age: 9 Years Old
Bottling: OB, Game of Thrones
Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky
Cost: £65
Origin: Lagavulin Distillery
Vintage: Undeclared

What they say

As one of the richest and oldest dynasties in the Seven Kingdoms, House Lannister will stop at nothing to retain its power, influence and hold on the Iron Throne. Their voracious intent is befittingly represented by a clawing lion on the House’s banner. If you cross them you will indeed hear their thunderous and violent roar, which has left many houses in ruin. After all, a Lannister always pays his debts.

The Lannister’s rise to the Iron Throne required years of meticulous calculation and tenacity, much like Lagavulin’s rise to legendary status, which has been over 200 years in the making. Lagavulin is a roaring single malt that leaves its intense smoky flavour on your palate with every sip. The golden liquid recalls the Lannisters; riches and is best served neat or with a single drop of water.

Official tasting notes:

The nose is characteristically Lagavulin with the sweet smoke exploding on the nose providing a little more zesty, Maritime brine than the other expressions. The palate opens with sweet, smokey caramelized banana, burnt marshmallow and Vanilla which subsides into a light dry menthol and salted caramel finish.

What I say

Representing House Lannister and the current residents on the Iron Throne is this new Lagavulin 9 Years Old expression. Following close on the heels of Lagavulin’s 2016, 200th anniversary release 8 year old expression with which I will be comparing this to.

My tasting notes:

Appearance: Bright amber gold (10/20), quick medium tears and thin legs.
Nose: Characteristic sweet and smoky, a little linseed oil, coal dust, some honey but this rocks between sweet and meaty, char siu with barley sugars
Taste: Slightly more sugary on the palate than I was expecting, barley sugars, caramel, a dry peat smoke enters which thickens and darkens the palate, salted & smoked almonds, dark chocolate, cinnamon, peppermint and malt extract.
Finish: Long, milk chocolate, coal dust, vanilla essence and chilli pepper.

Overall

Much more of a classic Lagavulin than I found the 8 Year Old anniversary edition. Sweet and meaty with a dusty smoke, a nice bitterness to it that presents as chocolate. I suspect the colour is e150 – confirmed by the packaging. Compared to the 8 Year Old I suspect a few more refill barrels or older barrels have gone into this mix to shift the flavour-profile in a very positive way more towards the distillery character. Quite moreish. I like this a lot more than I like Lannister’s – except Tyrion – I like this just as much as Tyrion.