My encounter with the 1991 bottling of Lagavulin Distillers Edition was very much an eye opening event for me. I mainly stick to Highland and Speyside Single Malts. Err... used to; I've begun my journey in to Peat!
Never would I have thought an Islay scotch would influence me in such a manner. Never would I have thought I would be calling all over God's creation ... err... at least the Austin area ;-D scouring the shops for a bottle of the 1991 bottling. Plenty of the 1993 bottling to be had - tried it, although a very fine expression, the 1991 is leaps ahead in smokiness and complexity... IMHO. After many visits and calls to local shops, I finally found it, far from civilization - at least to me; a 45 min drive to the shop and it was mine! Burned up the plastic and then the tires, off on my way home to enjoy my plunder.
A friend, who so kindly introduced me to this scotch, along for the ride was able to get himself another bottle as well. Such a rare find, or so it seems. Please post of your local findings.
I've been meaning to post about the various expressions I've come across - my circle of friends include some well traveled scotch aficionado's that have shared with me - and I can't think of a better way than to start with this Lagavulin. So, here goes. . .
The 1991 Lagavulin Distillers Edition is such a wonderfully complex scotch. The bouquet is strongly smoky with delicious caramel and toffee notes. As it drops down to its place of rest, you can taste the peat. The finish is long lasting and smoky - brings to the mind the experience of sitting besides a campfire.
A slow breath inward through the mouth reinforces the flavors once more. Take a breath too fast, and you're in for a rush - almost as if you're inhaling from a bonfire! Except sweeter ;-D It's not as oily as I expected for such a peaty scotch. And thanks to the finishing process using Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks, the sweetness, color and body has been enhanced to a truly heavenly level. Have a dram of this sweet, peaty, silky smooth scotch, and you'll agree too, that it's one special scotch.
I'm no scotch tasting expert, but you gotta start somewhere! Others have more detailed tasting notes. Here's one particular one that I liked of the 1991 Lagavulin Distillers Edition [click here] This guy gets around w/ some really awesome scotch!
Enjoy it, if you can find it. If you find it, horde it and share it with your friends that are true scotch lovers - you/they will not be sorry :-D
