Islay

Lagavulin 2000 Distillers Edition

By Barry Bradford on February 27, 2019 • ( Leave a comment )

Lagavulin 2000 Distillers Edition (43%, OB, lgv.4/505, 2016)

ABV: 43%
Age: 16 Years Old
Bottling: OB
Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky
Cost: £76.75
Origin: Lagavulin Distillery
Vintage: 2000

What they say

Double matured in Pedro Ximinez cask wood, this is a mellow Lagavulin, peat-rich, sweet and very more-ish.

Official tasting notes:

Appearance Golden treacle.
Nose Intense peat and vanilla. A raisin sweetness checks the smoke. Iodine-edged peat and crisp, roasty malt. Satisfying and enticing.
Body Full bodied and rich in texture.
Palate A clear, grassy malt, then the peat lands – smoke filling the mouth. A very salty tang, the middle offers coffee, vanilla and fruit.
Finish Incredibly long, even by Islay standards. Fruit, peat and long-lasting oak. Very chewable.

What I say

The second in our trio of Lagavulin Distillers Editions spanning 1999-2001 vintages, Bottled 2015-2017 respectively.

My tasting notes:

Appearance Ruby amber (14/20), medium tears leave medium-fine legs
Nose Much more distant smoke, cleaner, drier and tinged more with woodsmoke, vanilla, fudge, a little fruit, dried apple and raisin, light biscuity malt, damp moss and earthy/musty peat, a little barnyard.
Taste Slightly lighter on the palate with a little more oily texture, sweet fudge, some salted caramel but much more vanilla and red fruits along with apple and blackcurrant and some orange zest become apparent before gentle malt, earthy smoke and a little sweet milk chocolate & hazelnut/Nutella, some maple and pecan plait.
Finish Long, drying, slightly astringent, tarter fruits and much more oak wood, wood char and then faint, damp peat smoke

Overall

Softer and less smoky both on the nose and palate than the 1999 vintage. More fruity in nature and much more vanilla influence. Slightly more sugary and nutty too. It is hard to ascribe why this is distinctly less smoky and slightly lighter in texture, however differences in the maturation/finishing casks more than justify the alterations in flavour profile, more fruit and nut than chocolate and tobacco. Still very pleasant.