The Islay distillery of Lagavulin celebrates its continuing sponsorship of the Hebridean island's jazz festival with this pair of limited edition releases. It is the first time that two whiskies have been released for the annual event, which was held between October 7 and 9 this year. One is exclusively on sale at the distillery and the other to a wider audience.
The first bottling - the Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival 7 years old - is available for those unable to attend the festival (pictured, above right). It is on sale via malts.com. It features a combination of ex-bourbon and re-fill American oak hogshead casks and is bottled at the natural cask strength of 59.5% ABV. There are just 2,490 bottles and each will cost £95.
The second bottling is the distillery exclusive Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival 14 years old (pictured, above left). This has been matured in re-fill American oak barrels before a five year finishing period in ex-brandy casks. It is bottled at the natural cask strength of 55.4% ABV and there are just 3,000 bottles in the batch. The packaging features highlights from previous editions of the festival on the famous whisky island. A bottle will cost £220.
Both bottlings are available on a first come, first served basis until sold out. They were selected by Jordan Paisley, the Distillery Manager at Lagavulin. The Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival is now in its 24th year and has covered all areas of jazz over the two decades.
Lagavulin is located Lagavulin Bay, a small bay dominated by the ruins of the 13th century Dunyvaig Castle on the southern coast of Islay. The name is the anglicised name of the village in which the distillery is located - Lag a'Mhuilin, which translates as 'mill by the bay' from the local Gaelic dialect. The distillery was founded in 1816 by John Johnston and is currently owned by Diageo. It has an annual production capacity of approximately three million litres.
Our tasting notes
Lagavulin 7 years old Islay Jazz Festival Edition 2022The colour is pale lemon yellow and straw-like, while the nose is fresh and vibrant with citrus and fiery aromas. Lemon peel and malty biscuits rise first, and are then followed by a heady scent of hot ash and damp moss. This has a prickly pepper and chilli-like heat to it. A hint of vanilla and milk chocolate sit underneath.
On the palate this prickly pepper heat continues and tingle on the tongue. The combination of feisty peat smoke and citrus again hits first, as on the nose. Tangy lemon and lime peel mingle with damp moss and drying seaweed notes. These are backed up by plenty of coal tar soap, charcoal ash and embers. It is a full on experience. Underneath the distinct biscuity quality also comes through strongly and is joined by hints of custard powder, vanilla essence and white chocolate. Later hints of clove oil and marshmallow round things off nicely.
The finish is long and peppery with the malted biscuit notes holding well also. The sweet and confected characteristics slowly fade to leave the feisty peat smoke and earthy notes to the fore. These remain evident a couple of minutes after the final sip.
Lagavulin 14 years old Islay Jazz Festival Edition 2022 The colour is golden yellow and the nose is rich, sweet and smoky. Aromas of golden syrup, plump sultana, brown sugar and vanilla appear first but are quickly joined by robust peat smoke. This smoke has a combination of damp earth and moss, plus hints of dried seaweed and bonfire embers.
On the palate this whisky has an immediate bite. The acrid peat smoke grips the taste buds and holds on. The combination of damp earth, moss, seaweed and dying embers mix with cold ash, cracked pepper and a hint of green chilli. The smokiness is wrapped up in a wonderful blanket of rich and sweet notes. Plump, juicy sultanas and golden syrup kick this off and are joined by some poached apple, confected orange and brown sugar. The marriage of smoke and sweet richness is sublime and feels luxurious and delicious. Late hints of clove, apricot jam and rose water add further depth and complexity.
The finish is long and sumptuous. The rich and sweet characteristics hold firm for a considerable time and the signature Lagavulin smokiness drags the finish out very well. The earthiness becomes more dominant towards the end but is accentuated by the sweet fruity notes.
What's the verdict?
This pair of releases are both delicious, but in different ways. They show Lagavulin at its best when young and with interesting casking. The 7 years old is young, feisty and fiery. This shows off the distillery character perfectly - we are lucky enough to have sampled the new make spirit and it shows all the malty, smoky and fruity elements on show in the 7 years old.
However, the 14 years old is on a different level. The use of ex-brandy casks for a lengthy finishing period has elevated this Lagavulin expertly. The rich sweetness has an elegance to it, which is not always associated with heavily peated whiskies. The combination of smoke and sweetness is excellent and makes this a real winner. If you're on Islay in the coming weeks, then grab a bottle before it has gone.
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