Lagavulin – The Distillers Edition (2022) (70cl, 43%)

This is the 2022 bottling of the Lagavulin Distillers Edition, an Islay single malt from the Classic Malts of Scotland range. A new release appears each year. It is bottled at 43% in a 70cl bottle. The whisky was finished for some months in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, which bring sweetness alongside the smoky character of the distillery. The nose has strong peat smoke, vanilla, subtle citrus and a hint of iodine and seaweed. On the palate come peat smoke, malt, vanilla and citrus, followed by the sweetness of the Pedro Ximenez cask. The finish is very long and smoky, with notes of oak and chocolate.