Lagavulin – 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (70cl, 43%)

This is Lagavulin 16 Year Old, an Islay single malt in a 70cl bottle, bottled at 43% ABV. It comes from a distillery that dates its whisky back to 1816. The character is peaty, in the manner of southern Islay malts, with smoke and earthy sweetness at the front. The nose brings strong smoke and seaweed, with a nutty complexity and a light fruitiness behind. On the palate there is salty iodine, leading to a spicy, toasty vanilla finish. Dark chocolate is suggested as a pairing, or it can be taken over ice.