Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1996 is another edition of the often celebrated Lagavulin DE line. This one was distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2012 and like the rest of the Lagavulin DE line it was finished in PX barrels to give the bold peat of Lagavulin a wall of sweetness to balance against.

In Lagavulin’s Words: Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1995

“A really distinctive and distinguished dram, full of peat and brine, while the sherry wood naturally has a big say. A more mellow Lagavulin, not quite as deep or intense as the 16 year old.”

Distilled in 96 and bottled in 2012 this is essentially a PX finished Lag 16, but other than pointing out the obvious I have nothing else to add to what we already know. On to the Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1996 review!

Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1996 Info

Region: Islay, Scotland

Distiller: Lagavulin
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon and ex-PX
Age: NAS (~16 years)
ABV: 43%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: 1996 / 2012 lgv.4/500

Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller

Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1996 Review

EYE
Reddish caramel

NOSE
Peat, caramel, salt, ash, dark sweets, sharp iodine and sherry sweetness.

PALATE
Peat, dark fruits, charcoal, saline, iodine, cocoa and a bit of sherry sweetness.

FINISH
Long drawl of peat, sherry and ash.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a soft simple feel.

OVERALL
Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1996 is good. There’s more ash and charcoal in this release than previous years and I’d say it’s sitting in the lower end of the B+ range and not fully nailing the richness of the ’94. I’m getting the sense that these releases are falling prey to the same downfalls as other standards in the whisky world.

They’re getting less complex and less interesting as the years go on. I don’t know if it’s because of the stills, the grain, the amount they have to pump out causing less attention to detail, the need for higher volume necessitating poorer quality casks or a dozen other factors. All I know is that at some point this bubble will pop and hopefully a more moderate demand will bring some of the lost quality back to the industry.

SCORE: 87-89/100 (B+, not consumed at home)

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