Coming off Nigel Manley's fascinating and tasty Scotch and Irish whiskey tasting at Max London's Restaurant last week that benefited a new project by Slow Food Saratoga Region aimed at teaching basic cooking skills to the general public, my interest in expanding my Scotch experience was stoked.
With taste memories of the Auchentoshen, Glen Garioch, Knappogue Castle and especially the Laphroaig still fresh in my mind, I opened a bottle of 16 year old single malt Lagavulin from Islay. The cask strength Laphroaig was the smokiest of the bunch last Thursday, but it was just a tad harsh going down, especially without the addition of a couple of drops of taming water. The Lagavulin wasn't necessarily better than the Laphroaig, just a wee bit different. They were not as different as each of the whiskeys from the other night were from each other, though. There was still a family resemblance from their Islay roots.The Lagavulin was even smokier with hints of salt and seaweed, but it was also smoother and not nearly as harsh as the unwatered Laphroaig.Unlike the Laphroaig, I did not drink it with food. Instead I drank it with good friends after dinner. It was a true pleasure to sit, sip, share and contemplate this complex golden elixir. I think I could get used to this Scotch stuff.
Love the Lagavulin 16, tried it for the first time just a few weeks ago, serious peat and smoke, but smooth and well balanced.
Posted by: BiskuitATL | January 18, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Macallan 18 is my fav!
Posted by: TP | January 19, 2010 at 07:48 PM
I love the Macallan too.
John M. Sconzo, M.D.
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Posted by: John Sconzo | January 19, 2010 at 08:16 PM
55 yr old Macallan is $14,000.00. u wanna go in on it wit me? ;)
Posted by: TP | January 19, 2010 at 08:52 PM
Thanks, but no. :-)
Posted by: John Sconzo | January 19, 2010 at 09:28 PM
I recently was introduced to my first sip of Lagavulin, the distillers addition, brought over from England this past holiday.
My first impression was of smelly bandages, ozinol ointment, both sister's thought so too, but not really, I found it a living testament to old world flavors, deep and smooth. A most worthy tipple.
Lee Ann
Posted by: Lee Ann Foster | January 24, 2010 at 07:20 PM
I enjoy Lag., Springbank 15 is great. My fave for peaty is Ardbeg 15. Like wine, good to have a variety on hand.
Posted by: joel baumwoll | January 09, 2011 at 02:16 PM
I couldnt agree more, Joel.
Posted by: John Sconzo | January 09, 2011 at 05:32 PM