Lagavulin 16 2009 a little different? Better?

[jhershauer]

I'm drinking some Lagavulin 16 tonight from a new bottle (2009), and I think it's an improvement from my 200ml 2006 bottles that came with my Islay Collection packs.

There seems to be a layer of sweetness missing from this 2009 bottle that helps bring out the fruits and smoke better. It just seems a little more elegant. Maybe a little older.

This was already one of my favorites, but this bottle seems special.

Anybody else have a 2009 bottle and maybe a 2006 or 2007 bottle of Laga 16? Notice any differences?

Thanks,
Jeff

[dramtastic]

Interesting obsevations Jeff.

I don't have older and new versions to compare. All I know is whatever year I have, it's either bloody great, or bloody fantastic.

[Ganga]

I thought the pre-2007 were a little short on the sherry sweetness. That seemed to return with a bottle from 2007.

[jimidrammer]

I have L1, L4, L7 & L8 bottlings, but I've never had more than one open at a time. I do recall thinking the earlier bottles were "more special". The '08 especially was rather simple, but still delicious. I guess I really need to start a sampler reference collection to note batch variation. Too geeky?

[jhershauer]

I have L1, L4, L7 & L8 bottlings, but I've never had more than one open at a time. I do recall thinking the earlier bottles were "more special". The '08 especially was rather simple, but still delicious. I guess I really need to start a sampler reference collection to note batch variation. Too geeky?

Just the fact that any of us know what somebody means by a L1, L4, etc. bottling means we've crossed over the whisky geek line. You might as well run with it...

Jeff

[jhershauer]

I thought the pre-2007 were a little short on the sherry sweetness. That seemed to return with a bottle from 2007.

I don't know that I would call it a "sherry sweetness" on the 2006. It's more like a sugary toffee sweetness that I didn't really notice until I opened the 2009.

I've still got a couple of drams left of the 2006. I'll have to try again and see if I still notice a difference.

[Ganga]

I have L1, L4, L7 & L8 bottlings, but I've never had more than one open at a time. I do recall thinking the earlier bottles were "more special". The '08 especially was rather simple, but still delicious. I guess I really need to start a sampler reference collection to note batch variation. Too geeky?

Somewhere in the Maniacs articles is one on batch variation of Ardbeg. If memory serves it was L0 through L7 and about 12 different bottling codes.

[jimidrammer]

Here's a link to the Plowed Society vertical for Ardbeg 10yo through all the bottling codes that shows just how diverse they can be. Ardbeg is another I keep close tabs on what I have because of the age variation over the years.

http://www.smwhisky.com/PLOWED/A10/A10_Vertical.htm

Now I'm wondering if Lagavulin had to use a variety of ages to meet demand a few years back when they were scarce.

[Bulkington]

Here's a link to the Plowed Society vertical for Ardbeg 10yo through all the bottling codes that shows just how diverse they can be. Ardbeg is another I keep close tabs on what I have because of the age variation over the years.

http://www.smwhisky.com/PLOWED/A10/A10_Vertical.htm

Now I'm wondering if Lagavulin had to use a variety of ages to meet demand a few years back when they were scarce.

I've been looking at can't find anything earlier than L7 295 in NYC.

[Novice Scotch Fan]

I notice a difference between the 2009 and 2008. The former seems sweeter and more complex, but I kinda prefer the latter with the big rounded flavors.

[upright]

I only have a 2006 bottle open. Last night i opend a laga 16 "white horse lable" mini, i think it was bottled pre 2000. I rate it a lot higher than the 2006 i have.

[Reggaeblues]

I have a recent bottle unopened that ws going a few weeks aago for £33 at Waitrose. I'm waiting to open it fpor a friend's birthday. But bumped into Colin Dunn from Diageo giving out samples B4 Xmas in Milroy's. He was saying this bottling "drinks really well."

Certainly the nose was impressive...even in one of those teeny platic sample cups.

Looking f0rward to the Grand opening of my 2009/16!

Tho' wwhat I'd REALLY like is a 2009/12!

[Knolly]

Tho' wwhat I'd REALLY like is a 2009/12!

2009/12 is very yummy! Totally different than other 12yo releases: perhaps in some ways more simple - but also elusive and very approachable. I don't know if that makes sense, but that's how I feel about it compared to previous Laga 12s. Pick one up - cheers!

[Bulkington]

I only have a 2006 bottle open. Last night i opend a laga 16 "white horse lable" mini, i think it was bottled pre 2000. I rate it a lot higher than the 2006 i have.

I like the White Horse better, too. More salty and rustic. I've never done a head-to-head, but I have two White Horse minis and a friend has a bottle of the pre-2009 Port Ellen Lagavulin 16, so we're planning on a head-to-head soon.

[upright]

We are going to do a head to head with the white horse 16 and the 2006 Laga 16 and just for fun the 1991 DE. It should be fun.