Lagavulin 1979 Distillers Edition, Pedro Ximenez Finish

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 6 by Michael Jackson and Jim Murray.

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Tasting Notes

Michael Jackson Nose Fresh attack, with hits of peat, tar, sulphur and salt, soothed with beeswax. Palate Rich and extremely sweet, then smoky, becoming medicinal and eventually seaweedy. Finish Pepper, salt, sand. Comment The wrestling match between distillery character and Pedro Ximinez finish ends, at length, in a draw.

Jim Murray Nose Extraordinary fruit: cherries mainly but some fresh grape, too. Very winey and this drifts in and out of the peat gathering in intensity. Palate Immediately spicy, but the peat arrives with a beatifully clean grape. Peat dominates over coffee. Finish Some salty notes are added to the coffee and the fabulously lingering peat. Long and satisfying. Comment A big improvement on the first version with much more fruit, body and intensity. Beautiful.