Lagavulin 16 Years Old from White Horse Distillers

Back in 2008, I tasted my first Islay single-malt whisky. It was a Lagavulin 16 years old bottled by Port Ellen distillers (post-2000). Here today is a cold and grey Christmas morning, I poured the dram from a White Horse 1 litre bottle version, which is one of the earliest batches.

Colour: Amber gold
Aroma: Cured ham. Smoked bacon. Peat smoke. Some honey sweetness. I detected iodine too. The smell on the ground you get when a tropical rain is approaching. Intoxicating nose. I think it is more sophisticated (I won't say complex) than the dram I had 5 years ago. Less peat attack than the ‘Port Ellen’ version.
Taste: Immediately I get the peat and bacon coating my tongue. Carbon from charred wood. Dark chocolate but not-too-high cacao content. Some bitterness. Some white peppers but less spicier if I compare it to the 12 years old special releases. Less sweetness than the ‘Port Ellen’ version. Not so salty like how I remembered with the one bottled by Port Ellen distillers. This one has more balance and elegance, like a very good lapsang souchong tea! I think it is perfect with prosciutto! Everyone who enjoys a dram should try Lagavulin 16 years old at least once in their lifetime. Rating: 92/100

Port Ellen Royal Wedding Reserve Cask #2290

The royal wedding took place more than half a year ago, but it's never too late to pour myself a dram and toast to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

What shall we toast Prince Willie and Kate with? Let's go with a Port Ellen whisky specially bottled by The Whisky Exchange! The whisky was distilled in 1982 which was the birth year of both the bride and groom, and bottled on the day of the wedding. This was matured in a sherry hogshead and yielded about 200 bottles.

Colour: Raw brown sugar
Aroma: Burnt sugar caramel. Dried raisins. Black coffee. Somes notes on old leather. Then some Kiwi brand shoe polish. Simply beautiful on the nose!
Taste: Flambeed cherries with brandy. Orange spice cake and some plums. A dry and short finish but not unpleasant. A tad weak towards the end.
Rating: 90/100