Lagavulin (16 yo) [REVIEW]

Lagavulin 16 yo (ABV: 43%)

• Colour: Somewhere between chestnut and tawny.

• Nose: Robust and beautiful, like the refined and intellectual brother of the Laphroaig QC. Coming in with heavy smoke, making way to the peat, and finally iodine in the best way.  As the strongest notes fade, caramel and charred wood come through. Something like a rugged canvas backpack in there too.  All the favorite smells of a rough camping trip are here and it is glorious.
• Body: Smooth and thick, becomes wonderfully oily when left to sit on the tongue.
• Palate: A thick and wonderous bombardmend of smoke and peat. Followed up with subtle sweet notes of toffee, vanilla, and cream.  Just a touch of sea salt.
• Finish: Warm, long, like the last embers of a late night campfire on a soundless night.  More smoke and peat, giving way to caramel notes, touch of pepper, and the promise of fantastic next sip.
• Summary: I love this dram (can you tell?), it blew my mind the first time I had it.  The nearly perfect balance of flavors, with seemingly endless subtley and depth, give me a new adventure every dram while still staying so comfortably familar.  I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a beautifully crafted whisky, and even those who don't.
• Score: 96 / 100