For a Lagavulin lover, Corryvreckan or Uigeadail?

[pickleydoo]

Hello folks,

Lagavulin 16 is my favorite malt, but I am interested in trying some cask strength Islay whiskies. I have the Lagavulin 12 CS from 2010 but I am waiting for a friend to come back into town before I open it up. In the meantime, I am currently looking at the Ardbeg Corryvreckan or the Uigadail to pick up next. Are these two similar at all to the Lagavulin? Are they similar to each other? What would you suggest?

Thanks!

Chris

[Ganga]

I forget the makeup of the Corryvreckan but the Uige is from sherry casks. The Laga 16 also features sherry casks.

[MoreDalmore]

I love the Laga 16 but didn't care for the Uigadail.

I also loved the 12 CS from 2010 ( and 2008 ) and I think these make a much nicer comparison with the Corryvreckan ( which I also like a lot )

[The Third Dram]

...the Uige is from sherry casks.

There are some Sherry cask matured distillates (around 10% if I remember correctly) incorporated in the Uigeadail, but the remainder of the whisky is (just like the standard 10-year old) ex-Bourbon barrel matured. The Sherry comes through in fine strands and helps to plump up and sweeten (only slightly, though) the palate presentation.

As for the Lagavulins, those 12-year old cask strength releases are very different from the standard 16-year old version in terms of their flavour thrust... the intrinsic characteristics of the whisky come through in a much 'cleaner' fashion with relatively less impact from the oak. I really like these!

(I like the Uigeadail, too.)

[rushtonma]

Where I live, the liquor stores are stating that the Lag 12 year old has been discontinued. Does this mean that the stores here are just not stocking it anymore, or has it in fact been discontinued by the distillery?

[pickleydoo]

Rushtonma,

I believe they do an annual release of the Laga 12 CS. They probably just ran out of stock for the 2010 edition.

Cheers

[rushtonma]

Ah yes, that would make sense, thanks

[johan brugge]

I'd go for the Oogie. I find it richer than the Corry. And as TTD said, the 12yo CS Lagavulins are very different form the standard 16yo indeed. I loved the 12yo CS 2007 but I didn't like the 2009 though.

[Ganga]

I'd go for the Oogie. I find it richer than the Corry. And as TTD said, the 12yo CS Lagavulins are very different form the standard 16yo indeed. I loved the 12yo CS 2007 but I didn't like the 2009 though.

I've liked each of the 12 yos I've tried (that sounds bad doesn't it). Probably 04 the best. They each are a little different and I can see them being just different enough to have loves and hates between them.

[pkt77242]

I'd go for the Oogie. I find it richer than the Corry. And as TTD said, the 12yo CS Lagavulins are very different form the standard 16yo indeed. I loved the 12yo CS 2007 but I didn't like the 2009 though.

I agree with the Uigeadail. Neither are similar to Laga 16 but this would be closer.

I have loved all the Laga 12 CS's I have had which includes, 04, 08, 09 and 10.

[bredman]

Simple, Uigeadail imo. The Uigeadail is, i believe still a great well balanced and inspiring whisky (although i should add at this point that neither the Uigeadail or Corryvreckan are in fact cask strength, but "high strength"). The Corry' is not the beast it once was, and has become a little rough around the edges by Ardbeg standards, although i should point out that i believe it is still superior to the Laga 12 (which is head and shoulders above the Laga 16) as both a better whisky and a more 'natural' product (e150 free).

The Uigeadail is a better whisky than the Corry', but is more likely compared with the Laga 16, not the 12. In fact to muddy the waters the Laga 12 falls somewhere between the Oogie and Corry in impact. Maybe you should buy a bottle of both so you can answer the question For a Lagavulin lover, Corryvreckan or Uigeadail? And then tell us what you think, apples or oranges.

(But the Uigeadail is better )

[Ganga]

Funny, I think the Uige is kind of muddy.

[bredman]

The Uigeadail has grown on me over the years, and the Corry' (which i once favoured) has gone downhill. But that is nitpicking i think, both are great still, as is the 10, still the best standard release.

[pkt77242]

Funny, I think the Uige is kind of muddy.

Maybe the newer Uigeadails, but some of the older ones are amazing. I think Gordon mention that they eventually went to young sherry casks (2000+) instead of 70's sherry casks. I wonder if that had an effect on it.

[Ganga]

For me it was from the start. Just not my cuppa. If you like it, take mine.

[pkt77242]

For me it was from the start. Just not my cuppa. If you like it, take mine.

gladly. When I meet you I expect 70's Ardbeg and Oogie.

[dramtastic]

Ok I can't help much as I've never had the Corry, but IMO Ardbeg Oogie is one of the alltime overated whiskys. With all the raves I was hoping for something special, instead what I got was something totally average.
Or as Ganga says, just not my cuppa tea. In fact I'd rather have a good cuppa tea.

[pickleydoo]

Hi folks,

I went to the store yesterday to pick up the Uigaedail (no one sells the Corryvreckan around here) because it was on sale... and low and behold there was a Corryvreckan sitting next to it, ALSO on sale! I figured because I had been looking for and couldn't find the Corryvreckan, I had to pick up both (and a bottle of the Evan Williams 2000 Vintage Single Barrel Bourbon, also on sale). I am terrible with tasting notes but when I open them when my friend gets back, I'll definitely post my reactions.

Most of the Glenmorangie range was on sale too.... maybe there is some kind of LVMH-wide sale?

Thank you for your help and all the best,

Chris

[bredman]

I had to pick up both ... I am terrible with tasting notes but when I open them when my friend gets back, I'll definitely post my reactions.

That's a good outcome. You should try and compare them with the Laga 12 & 16. I look forward to your answer to the OP.

[IronDawg]

Uigadail everytime mate. Its a class apart.

[DavidUK]

I'm not overly impressed with the Uigedail, but the Corryvreckan is excellent. I believe 30% of the Corry is matured in new french oak casks

[Spirit of Islay]

Haven't a clue what the make up of the current Corry is but the original Committee Bottling contained one of Dr Bills Experiments , Ardbeg matured in Burgundy casks .
Oogie has gone up and down in quality over the years , the original 2003 bottling did contain 1970's Sherry casks , The last few batches i've tried have been very good .
couldn't choose between the two mind you....

[The Third Dram]

Oogie has gone up and down in quality over the years , the original 2003 bottling did contain 1970's Sherry casks , The last few batches i've tried have been very good ... couldn't choose between the two mind you....

That constitutes good news of sorts.

[lexvo]

I guess it's all down to personal taste. I'm a Lagavulin fan myself and I like both Corryvreckan and Uigeadail.