In the successful series Elements of Islay by The Whisky Exchange, there are two Lagavulins so far. This was the first one: Lagavulin Lg1. While it is still available, there also a newer Lg2 (sweeter I’m told).

None of the Elements of Islay have an age statement.

Lagavulin Lg1 (56,8%, Specialty Drinks 2009, 50 cl)

Nose: gristy and earthy. All kinds of wet things: wet leaves, soaked cereals, rubber boots… Sooty with tar and some nice bread crust. Salted smoked fish. When you dig a little further, there’s also a sweet background note (ripe banana?). Mouth: big! Nice development from the initial peat blast and coal smoke towards berries and tropical fruits. The sweetness keeps growing. Still quite grainy. Also a medicinal side and farmy notes that seem bigger than in official Lagavulin. Finish: very long on earthy peat, liquorice and pepper.

Official Lagavulins are 12 or 16 years old – it’s easy to tell this one is younger. I don’t think that’s a downside, because the youngish fruity notes work well here. Around € 45.

Score: 88/100