Last year’s Lagavulin festival bottling was probably the best of the Fèis Ìle crop last year. A sweet sherry bomb, this is a great sipper.
Photo Credit: peatedperfection.blogspot.com
As I mentioned in another post, Lagavulin has the most limited core range of all distilleries, holding a single expression: the 16 year old. Other regular bottlings include a yearly release of a 12 year old and a running limited edition of a PX finished Distiller’s Edition. Additionally, a yearly Fèis Ìle edition is issued and one for the Islay Jazz Festival (held in September), and special bottlings appear in the annual Special Releases series.
2012 Festival Bottle
Photo Credit: wine-searcher.com
Lagavulin Fèis Ìle 2014 Festival Bottling, Filled into European Sherry 31.1.1995, 3500 Bottles (54.7% ABV)
Appearance: Bronze, slow forming thin legs.
Nose: Sweet sherry, very light peat in the background, clove and nutmeg, deep aromas of dried fruit, Christmas cake and smoked ham.
Palate: Dry peat, wood spices (pepper, cinnamon and clove), wood smoke and light zesty notes.
Linger: Sherry sweetness down the middle of the tongue, with a peaty and spicy linger and bitter notes that remain in the mouth.
Conclusion
As I mentioned, I think that this was the star of the festival bottlings last year. This beautiful sherry bomb is really gorgeous!
If you’re on Islay today, this year’s bottling is a 1991 expression that was triple matured. After a regular maturation, it got another short second maturation in PX casks, followed by a period of gentle maturation in old oak puncheons.