This is the latest 2015 release of the PX finished Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition which is currently arriving in most stores.
Lagavulin 1999 ‘Distiller’s Edition’ (43%, OB 2015, PX finish, lgv. 4/504)
Nose: smooth peat in a perfect balance with raspberries, maple syrup and warm tobacco notes. Forest fruit chocolate cake, cinnamon and subtle coastal notes. This expression has become a little less sweet in the past few years, and I think it’s really excellent now.
Mouth: rich, with more ashy peat than on the nose. Some tarry notes and earthy notes. Oranges, a hint of herbal honey, but again no overdose of sherry sweetness. Tobacco leaves, some mint and Turkish coffee in the end. Less sherry than, say, five years ago.
Finish: long, a tad drier, with dark chocolate, a subtle herbal bitterness, liquorice and pepper.
The Distillers Edition is loosing some of its fruity sweetness and is therefore closer to the regular Lagavulin 16 Year Old. It’s now pretty much in line with some of the excellent Lagavulin Feis Ile releases, only at a lower strength. Around € 80.
Score: 88/100
ps/ Also check the more recent Lagavulin Distillers Edition 2016