Lagavulin 2014 Feis Isles Edition Review

Lagavulin 2014 Feis Isles Edition is the oldest Lagavulin, age wise, that I’ve tried. I’ve had several Lagavulins from back in the White Horse distilling days, and they were all awesome, but until I was surprised with this by a generous tasting host I haven’t been fortunate to try anything over 16 years old from Lagavulin. It was insightful to say the least.

In Whisky Fun’s Words: Lagavulin 2014 Feis Isles Edition

“This baby was ‘triple matured’ in US Oak, Pedro Ximenez, and oak puncheons. Was that, I mean, done successively, or a vatting? Sure I could find out, but let’s not lose any more time… Colour: pale gold. Nose: awawaow… It makes the youngsters nose… well, young in comparison. They have found a Broraness, I’d say. First wax, then all things from a deep forest, including moss, mushrooms, fern, pine needles, leprechauns (what?)… And long-forgotten natural turpentine, shoe polish, grandma’s walnut wine, grapefruit liqueur… There is a sherriness, but I find it appropriately minimal, with just a few raisins. All the rest just mingled with this superb spirit. With water: oh a medicinal side. Lagavulin’s hardly the most medicinal of them all on southern Islay, but this one does reek of ‘a gentle hospital’.

Mouth (neat): look, and I swear I’m not making this up, this baby reminds me of an old no-age Lagavulin spring cap. The one with doctors’ advices on the label. Well I’m sure this one cures anything. Love the citrons, the menthol, the salty smoke, the cocoa, the notes of Campari (I know, no brand names), the shoe polish… With water: sparkling lemon wine! A bit surprising, but lovely. Islay’s spritz. Finish: rather long, clean, citrusy, smoky, salty, balanced… Only very, very, very tiny flaw, traces of pencil shavings in the aftertaste (sucking a pencil). Comments: wouldn’t there be room for a great 25 yo Lagavulin within each year’s Special Releases?”

There’s not much I can add to Serge’s words so on we go to the Lagavulin 2014 Feis Isles Edition review!

Lagavulin 2014 Feis Isles Edition Info

Region: Islay, Scotland

Distiller: Lagavulin
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon, ex-PX casks & ex Oak Puncheons
Age: 19 years
ABV: 59.9%

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: 2015 Feis Isles

Price: NA – Private sales, auction or specialty shops

Lagavulin 2014 Feis Isles Edition Review

EYE
Golden

NOSE
Smoked meat, peat, mesquite, iodine, leather, pepper, toasted bread and a touch of cocoa. The aroma contains multiple layers and styles of smoke and a wee bit of an earthy character underpinning the whole aroma.

PALATE
Smoked meat, peat, minerality, mesquite, buttered bread, saline, honey and a rich undertone of fruit. This is quite the lovely multi-dimensional flavor. If I were in the position to do so I’d drink this one as often as possible.

FINISH
Long weird and winding path of fruit, peat, leather, iodine, cherries and pepper.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, heavy full body and a slick oily feel.

OVERALL
I like the Lagavulin 2014 Feis Isles Edition a lot. I didn’t fall deeply madly in love with it like some people I’ve read, but I liked it enough that I would make it a daily dram if the opportunity presented itself. It’s a beautiful expression of Lagavulin that left me hankering for more after the tasting. Both aroma and palate were multi-dimensional and balanced with soft, bright, bold and dark notes all mingling together and offering up a host of sensory experiences.

SCORE: 90-92/100 (A-, consumed at a tasting)