The Feis Ile bottlings by Lagavulin have a sterling reputation. The one they released this year is a 24yo triple matured whisky (American oak, Pedro Ximénez & oak puncheons). If I’m not mistaken there were around 3.500 bottles, all of which sold out within a day or two. And it has received rave reviews.
I didn’t visit Islay this year, but managed to get a sample (thanks Tom!). I really enjoyed last years Feis Ile-bottling, although not as much as some others. From what I hear, many people like the 2015-version better than the Feis Ile 2014, so consider me very anxious to try this one 🙂
Lagavulin 1991/2015 (59,9%, OB, Feis Ile 2015)
Nose: Lots of vegetal peat, accompanied by licorice, wood smoke and also chilipepper. Some underripe banana, a hint of lemon, vanilla and cows milk. Very green also, veggies mostly, like broccoli, kale and cabbage.
Taste: Burned oak, peat and tobacco with white pepper and bacon. Wood shavings, pretty dry also. Not much fruit, except for some banana, but it is dominated by the peat and oak.
Finish: Warming peat, white chocolate and toasted oak.
Rating: 88
I was a little bit disappointed in this one, to be honest. But that isn’t really fair, because my expectations were also really high. It would’ve been better if the sherry influence was a bit higher. A very good whisky nonetheless.
Lagavulin’s Feis Ile drams have always been hits in my book! I love this one again, although I’ve not compared it to the previous one (not head to head, at least).
It’s a shame it sold out so quickly, since I would have loved to get me a bottle…