LAGAVULIN 16 VS ARDBEG 10 VS TALISKER 10 VS LAPHROAIG 10

[dramtastic]

Problem for me with the AB 10 is it lacks complexity compared with Laga 16. No doubt is wears it's Islay heritage on it's sleave(peaty) and in isolation is a good drop, but for me, just not a great one. I would actually take a Bowmore 12 over it by a whisker and a Laph QC(I've never had the regular 10), or Laga 16 by quite a margin.
As for Talisker 10, I'm not sure why it's in this contest as it's, IMO, a different(and wonderful) beast all together.
Personally, I would have thrown a Longrow or Springbank into the mix.

[Reggaeblues]

You see, taste and mood!

Sometimes AB10 seems one dimensional. At other times, as when I haven't had one on awhile, the complexity astounds me! Such contrast of flavours, and a brilliant nose!

Currently got a Longrow CV newly opened. I agree - a great dram. funnily enough, first thing it reminded me of was Ardbeg 10!

[kyorke1]

Yes, hence why I have lots of open bottles at the moment, it's great to be able to pick and choose based on mood and fancies.

[dramtastic]

[quote="Reggaeblues"]You see, taste and mood!
[/quote
Agree totally Reggae. Unfortunately for me the AB10 doesn't really change from dram to dram. Current bottle opened for two months now and hasn't really presented any exciting sublties IMO, that would help it win this particular poll .
Actually drinking one right now and enjoying it a lot, but if I have a Laga 16 next, the AB, for me at least, will pale. In saying that it is the best bang for your buck Islay I've tried, tasty, nothing if not consistant and anything but dissapointing at the price.

Thinking about a bit more, it I'd take the Tali 10(see my above post) and Laga 16 out of this contest and maybe match up the Laph 10, AB10, Bowmore 12 and Caol Ila 12 as more suitable combatants.A battle of Islay standard OB's??
I really should try the Laph 10, but seeing for me the Laph QC is such a cracking dram, and after reading the posts and other reviews, it seems like I'd taking a backwards step.

[v1p]

Today I bought a bottle of Ardbeg Ten L7. We'll see...

[v1p]

Today I bought a bottle of Ardbeg Ten L7. We'll see...

First of all, it's smoother and sweeter than Laga. More delicate and very different. Give me some more time to analyze this...

[Ganga]

At Ardbeggeddon this year, we did a lineup of Ardbeg 10s, 12 of them in fact. While each screamed Ardbeg, each was quite unique from the other. The general opinion was that the peak was about 2005 bottlings and then the quality began to tail off a little bit. We did not have any 2008 bottlings to compare to except the Rennaisance which has the added avantage of being cask strength.

I myself am not as enamoured with the current bottlings of Lagavulin 16. I think it is a good dram but not what it was in the 1990s. I much prefer the MMcD bottlings of Lagavulin 1979.

[v1p]

Tar, Crème Brûlee, maybe some citrus (pine-apple?), sea air...a little bit of iodine in the finish...very interesting combination and contrast...give me some more time...cause this needs time...

[The Third Dram]

I myself am not as enamoured with the current bottlings of Lagavulin 16. I think it is a good dram but not what it was in the 1990s.

Could this possibly have anything to do with the higher peat-reek levels that occurred at Lagavulin for a time? If I recall correctly, the distillery temporarily raised its specification to around the 50ppm range before later lowering it back to the more 'normal' 35ppm level.

[borgom]

Could this possibly have anything to do with the higher peat-reek levels that occurred at Lagavulin for a time? If I recall correctly, the distillery temporarily raised its specification to around the 50ppm range before later lowering it back to the more 'normal' 35ppm level.

Not sure of this as I've only tasted bottlings over the last five years but even over this time i've noticed a greater sherry cask influence and a thinner texture. The big peat and iodine Laga seems to have disappeared at the moment.

[Ganga]

I myself am not as enamoured with the current bottlings of Lagavulin 16. I think it is a good dram but not what it was in the 1990s.

Could this possibly have anything to do with the higher peat-reek levels that occurred at Lagavulin for a time? If I recall correctly, the distillery temporarily raised its specification to around the 50ppm range before later lowering it back to the more 'normal' 35ppm level.

I don't generally have problems with the level of peating. If I were guessing, I would say that the sherry casks used were not as good in the more recent bottlings. Either that or my personal preference has change away from Lagavulin.

[v1p]

My final ranking:

1. Lagavulin 16
2. Talisker 10
3. Ardbeg 10
4. Laphroaig 10

[v1p]

I'm looking forward to try Caol Ila 12 and compare it to these four.

[Kix]

I'd put the LAGA 16 on first position and on second Talisker 10, followed
by Laphroaig 10 with a bit distance to the ARDBEG 10 on last rank.

The ARDBEG 10 y. rather disappointed me ;

1. LAGAVULIN 16y.
2. TALISKER 10y.
3. LAPHROAIG 10y.
4. ARDBEG 10y.

[v1p]

Don't want to sound like an advertisement, but I think Diageo standard island bottlings play in a slightly different league than the others.

[v1p]

I'm looking forward to try Caol Ila 12 and compare it to these four.

Today I bought a bottle.

[MacDeffe]

They are all very good but my favourite is

1 Talisker
2 Ardbeg
3 Laphroaig
4 Lagavulin

macdeffe

[v1p]

I'm looking forward to try Caol Ila 12 and compare it to these four.

Today I bought a bottle.

Excellent dram!

Classic Islay character, superb balance and sublime drinkability at quite a reasonable price.

1. Lagavulin 16
2. Caol Ila 12
3. Talisker 10
4. Ardbeg 10
5. Laphroaig 10

[thecraft]

I bought the Laga 16 this weekend in the end.

It's early days and I've noticed with the previous whiskies I've bought it takes a while to get to know them, infact being new to it all, I find new things in them on a daily basis.. however I prefer both the Ardbeg 10 and the Laphroaig QC over it so far.

I can't really fault it, it is certainly very nice, but whereas with the Ardbeg and the QC I get a big dose of the peat, it seems so far that in the Laga that it is far more subtle and it seems very sweet to me. There is a kind of honey/dark chocolate taste to it that pushes the peat into the background and as drinkable as that makes it, I miss that peat flavour that I get a big dose of in the other two. I think if I'd tried it first I would like it better possibly..

It goes down very well, and I think it may be suffering from the fact that I expected too much of it but replacing the QC for the Laphroaig 10 as I haven't tried it I would say

1) Ardbeg 10
2) Laphroaig QC (although these top 2 are practically on a par, I love them both)
3) Laga 16
4) Talisker 10

All four are great though.

[v1p]

Today I bought Redbreast 12.

I'm drinking it from my Eisch glass right now. Brilliant! Sensational! Sorry, boys, but this is the best I've ever had! It's better than Lagavulin 16 and JW Blue! The Laga is ideal if you like it very smoky & peaty, the Blue is perfect if you want something luxury, but the Redbreast is superior!

I was probably a little bit drunk when I wrote this. There is no better whisky than Lagavulin 16.

[evanstonwhisky]

Ardbeg i dew prefaar

[lincoln imp]

My final ranking:

1. Lagavulin 16
2. Talisker 10
3. Ardbeg 10
4. Laphroaig 10

Spot on thats exactly how i would rate them. To be honest i only ever rate Laphroaig 10 for the bin/sink.
I agree with others that the Talisker 10 is a different sort of drink to the islay offerings here. Why dont you drop the Phroaig and Ardbeg and try Caol Ila 18yr. For someone possibly new to Islay whisky i believe it is worth a try imho.

[lincoln imp]

My problem with Ardbeg is just all the hype .... I still prefer Laphroaig & Lagavulin over Ardbeg but nothing against the distillery as such. But there is just so much writen about, talked about and just general coverage that I get bored of seeing anything about Ardbeg Sorry just me .....

HOORAY for this comment.
Thank god that i am not the only dissenting voice to all that pay homage at the alter of Ardbeg. I thought i was a lone voice.
There are much better whiskies out there for the price but fairplay to Ardbeg in getting their product hyped to excess. They must have a really good marketing team.
I have said before that with my limited tasting experience i am sure that there are some expressions i would like but if i do not like the core expressions of Ardbeg and particularly Laphroaig ie the 10yr offerings then why would i spend much more money on much older expressions?
Maybe its just because it begins with the letter A and is close to the front of whisky books that people know about it.
This whisky (Ardbeg) is overated and over hyped of that there is no doubt.
I will now put my ear plugs in.

[v1p]

My problem with Ardbeg is just all the hype .... I still prefer Laphroaig & Lagavulin over Ardbeg but nothing against the distillery as such. But there is just so much writen about, talked about and just general coverage that I get bored of seeing anything about Ardbeg Sorry just me .....

HOORAY for this comment.
Thank god that i am not the only dissenting voice to all that pay homage at the alter of Ardbeg. I thought i was a lone voice.
There are much better whiskies out there for the price but fairplay to Ardbeg in getting their product hyped to excess. They must have a really good marketing team.
I have said before that with my limited tasting experience i am sure that there are some expressions i would like but if i do not like the core expressions of Ardbeg and particularly Laphroaig ie the 10yr offerings then why would i spend much more money on much older expressions?
Maybe its just because it begins with the letter A and is close to the front of whisky books that people know about it.
This whisky (Ardbeg) is overated and over hyped of that there is no doubt.
I will now put my ear plugs in.

[v1p]

Yesterday I finally bought LQC. It's a fine dram, I like it, but prefer to wait a little bit before giving my final opinion about.

[kyorke1]

Yesterday I finally bought LQC. It's a fine dram, I like it, but prefer to wait a little bit before giving my final opinion about.

Quite wise. The LQC was good when I first had it, not so great the second time, then its been fantastic ever since, strangely.

I'm looking forward to try Caol Ila 12 and compare it to these four.

Today I bought a bottle.

Excellent dram!

Classic Islay character, superb balance and sublime drinkability at quite a reasonable price.

I also recently bought a bottle and couldn't agree more. Sounds like we have similar tastes; ill have to give Redbreast a try.

[upright]

I know there is a lot of hype when it comes to Arbeg, but i still love it to bits. All 4 are in my top 5, plus Brora. When i comes down to bang for buck the Laphroaig is top now in South africa.

[v1p]

1. Lagavulin 16
2. Caol Ila 12
3. Talisker 10
4. Laphroaig QC
5. Ardbeg 10
6. Laphroaig 10

[bbrownri]

I've got a couple sips left in a glass of Lap 10 right now, and what I've realized about this whisky is that it's got tremendous depth of peat flavors: wood smoke, iodine and medicinal tones, oily green olive and some wispy herbal notes. While I haven't tried the Ardbeg 10 (I know, I know, it's on my list!), comparing the Lap 10 to the Lag 16 - which I love - I'd have to say the Lap 10 has the edge in terms of every day drinking because it's got that interesting, complex peat and a lower price tag. For a treat, though, the Lag 16 is beautifully balanced and has something of a gently perfumy finish which I really like. As for the Talisker, I'm just not a big fan. It's never seemed multidimensional enough for me.

[v1p]

1. Talisker DE - 9.00 (Excellent. Sherry, sea, spice... All that beautifully composed to produce a stunning contrast of aromas, flavours and sensations. Complex, luxurious, delicious. Very close to my ideal for whisky.)

2. Caol Ila 12 - 8.50 (Very good. Who could say a bad word about this?! It has Talikser's spiciness on a beautifull seashore/vanilla background.)

3. Lagavulin 16 - 8.00 (A true classic but a little bit too austere. It lacks the richness of TDE.)

4. Talisker 10 - 7.50 (Transperant glass and blue plastic stopper on the cork - looks pretty cheap. Nothing but the pepper inside. Nothing so special about, but it's a good whisky at all.)

5. Laphroaig QC - 7.00 (Too woody and nothing so special at all. Like every standard Laphroaig, the nose is the best part of the experience.)

6. Ardbeg 10 - 6.00 (Too tarry and nothing special at all.)

7. Laphroaig 10 - 5.00 (Very harsh and medicinal.)

[v1p]

EDIT:

1. Caol Ila 12 /8.00/
2. Talisker DE /7.75/
3. Lagavulin 16 /7.50/
4. Talisker 10 /7.25/
5. Laphroaig QC /7.00/
6. Ardbeg 10 /6.00/
7. Laphroaig 10 /5.00/

[Muskrat Portage]

I don't like Laphroaig 10 at all, but its nose was maybe the best I have ever had. It was so intense and charismatic! I have no problems with the medicinal smell, but I have a problem with the strong medicinal taste. I heard the QC is smoother and packs some sweetness to balance. Waiting for opinions about!

I'm still reading through the posts but had to stand up and be counted. I prefer the Lappy 10 for some reason. The Ardbeg and the Laggy have their own fascinations for me but I do enjoy Laphroaig.

The QC I find to be a poor cousin to the 10 yo 43%. It's nice but it's like dating Hannah Montana, a little too young and definitely a criminal offense. I'd definitely take Jessica Alba or Eva Mendes on a date first!

Talisker, for me is pretty wonderful as well, but with all things considered, I'm a "Friend of Laphroaig" for a reason. Now back to reading posts...

Musky

[bbrownri]

Well, I'm back and now I've tried the Ardbeg 10. From the first sip, I understood why it's so beloved by so many on this site: malty up front with a billow of peat smoke followed up by citrus and pear, underscored throughout by white pepper. It is a great whisky and more spirited than any of the others in my current collection. I'll definitely be buying a bottle, maybe even this afternoon...?

[v1p]

My final ranking:

1. Lagavulin 16 /8.00/
2. Caol Ila 12 /7.75/
3. Talisker DE /7.50/
4. Talisker 10 /7.25/
5. Laphroaig QC /7.00/
6. Ardbeg 10 /6.00/
7. Laphroaig 10 /5.00/

Good whiskies, but not breathtaking. I'll continue my tour and Lagavulin DE is next on the list. I'll buy it during the weekend, though it's costly here - £75.

[talisker10]

I missed the poll..but I would have to go:

1) Talisker 10
2) Laphroaig 10
3) Ardbeg 10
4) Lagavulin 16