Lagavulin – Distillers Edition (70cl, 43%)

This is Lagavulin Distillers Edition, an Islay single malt bottled at 43% in a 70cl bottle. The series has been released each year since 1997. The whisky first matures in used American and European oak casks. It then moves into re-charred American oak casks that previously held Pedro Ximenez, with new, heavily charred American oak ends also part of the cask preparation. This second maturation adds raisin sweetness and wine and fruit notes while the peat smoke stays prominent. The nose combines dark oak, raisins soaked in spirit, sweet wine and fragrant peat smoke. The palate is oily and full-bodied, with raisins, smoke, roasted malt, salt and a hint of espresso grounds. The finish is very long, smoky and warming, with deep oak spice.