Lagavulin 26 Year Old 1994 Special Release Oloroso Sherry Cask 2021 70cl

Distilled in 1994, this 26-year-old Lagavulin single malt has been matured in a combination of oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, before being bottled as part of Diageo's 2021 Special Releases. Aromas of linseed oil, polished mahogany, dried seaweed, baked figs, butterscotch, tarry rope and engine oil fill the nose. The palate offers notes of salt and pepper, sweet peat smoke, mushrooms, vanilla and hints of dried fruit that linger in the finish.

The oldest expression from Diageo's 2021 Special Release, this is a 26 year old single malt from the mighty Lagavulin! Interestingly, this expression has been fully matured in first-fill Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry-seasoned casks, making for a flavour profile that boasts powerful peaty notes and intense sherried boldness. This is a huge whisky. Also, with the 'Legends Untold' theme running from the 2021 Special Releases, the label features a rather proud lion on the label, seemingly guarding some treasure...

TASTING NOTES

Nose: Sweet and sherried (but not too much), with an abundance of sweet marinated smoked meats, Islay fishing boats (tarry rope, hessian), cooked ripe apples, gentle wood smoke and, which gives way to creme de menthe. The sherry influence of the Oloroso & PX denotes a lovely dried fruit background in the form of rich sultanas, figs,s, and ripe plums, sprinkled with wood spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and cardamom. further nosing brings up dark cherries and hints of sweet smoke.

Palate: quite soft and approachable at under 45%, with more of the stewed red apples, cinnamon spice, and a touch of tar / TCP. the peat is very gentle, and the pepper adds to the smoky maple glazed bacon bits. I’m also getting a hint of pineapple in here… There’s not an awful lot of wood in there despite the 26 years of age, but the wood is there adding to the complexity, and I would have loved to get more of that old wood influence. oh well.

Finish: smoky bbq meats, and some grilled fruits, tar and peat and hints of smoke, distant campfires, and sweet wine, maybe black tea as well.