Lagavulin DE vertical tasting: standard 16 yo, DE 1998/2014 lgv 4/503, DE 1997/2013 lgv 4/502, DE 1995/2013 lgv 4/501, DE 1996/2012 lgv 4/500, DE 1995/2011 lgv 4/499, DE 1991/2007 lgv 4/495 and finally quite ancient DE 1981/2000 lgv 4/465

Long-awaited tasting to be shared with Andrii Rubtsov and Valerii Minialkoff. 

As these bottles were most likely tasted by any Islay addict I won't focus on each malt and will try to dwell on the differences between them we were able to spot.

Lagavulin 16 yo 43% - quality of modern batches is quite volatile, I had scores from varying 80/100 to 89/100. The nose is traditionally maritime with whiffs of creosote. Tad watery in palate, though quite decent, finish is shortish with tons of iodine and sea shells. Score = 22 21 21 21, 85/100!

Lagavulin DE 1998/2014 lgv 4/503 43% - the nose starts on sweet berries, subtle smoke, honey and honeycombs after a while. Body is more convincing than in standard 16 yo, all kinds of sea stuff and tobacco. Long and salty finish mainly on berries and smoke plus bitter herbs. Score = 22 21 22 22, 87/100!

Lagavulin DE 1997/2013 lgv 4/502 43% - this time the berries aren't sweet but sour, some smoke, salt and tobacco after a while. The taste is tad quicker, finish is tad flatter with less smoke and salt, but more oak. Score = 22 21 21 21, 85/100!

Lagavulin DE 1995/2013 lgv 4/501 43% - intense start on cherries, peat and sherry-based flavours. Dense palate with lots of smoke, salt, currants and oranges. Long maritime finish with peaty and ashy notes. Score = 22 22 22 22, 88/100!

Lagavulin DE 1996/2012 lgv 4/500 43% - here we have an accent on bandages, smoke and sea, berries are scarce. Same density on a palate, but more smoke comparing to lgv 4/501. Long, salty and tannic finish. More medicinal batch I dare to say. Score = 22 22 22 22, 88/100!

Lagavulin DE 1995/2011 lgv 4/499 43% - some perfumes, damp warehouse and wet oak. Unconvincing earthy palate, medium-long finish on salt, berries and oranges. Not that bad but very different quality comparing to 2 previous batches. Score = 21 20 21 21, 83/100!

Lagavulin DE 1991/2007 lgv 4/495 43% - well, it has different nose again, mushrooms, leather, smoked meat and even some hints of sulphur. Big sherry influence. Meaty and oily palate, long sweet and briny finish. That batch won't leave you indifferent, hate it or like it. Score = 22 22 22 22, 88/100!

Lagavulin DE 1981/2000 lgv 4/465 43% - refined and elegant nose with berries, chocolate and salt. Sherry seems to be better integrated than in lgv 4/495. Huge taste for that ABV, long maritime finish. Just excellent. Score = 23 23 22 23, 91/100!