Lavagulin 16 Drinking

[Pierre1965]

My wife bought me a bottle of Lavagaulin 16 six years ago and I've never opened it. I tried Scotch once when I was about 24 and I wasn't manly enough for it. 30 plus years later and I'm still intimidated. I recently scored some Vintage Syrian Latakia and I don't know why, but I want to see how they'll pair. Any suggestions on how to drink this? Chilled, room temperature, neat, spring water? Any thought's on how it'll pair with this Latakia? Any other tobacco pairings you'd recommend with it? Any food pairings you'd recommend? Thanks gents.

 

[seanv]

Always try a new whiskey neat, minimum two sips. After that you can a drop or 2 of water to enhance the bouquet

 

[alaskanpiper]

Hahaha, Lagavulin is a very bold scotch to start with. It is extremely smokey and peaty. For seasoned scotch drinkers, it would pair very well with Latakia.

However, introducing yourself to scotch with Lag 16 would be sort of like introducing yourself to craft beer with a smoked imperial stout or a 11% triple IPA.

There are much more “newbie” friendly scotches out there that are a lot more approachable for folks without an acquired taste for large amounts of peated malt.

That being said, give it a whirl! It’s a boldly flavored experience that for sure. If you find it abrasive just be aware scotch is very versatile and that one is on the high end of intensity for sure. If you don’t like it try some Macallan 12 or Glenkinchie. Much more approachable scotches for your average noob.

All scotch should be served neat, with literally a drop or two of water added to open up the nose.

Good luck! Either way the vintage syrian will be good

 

[anotherbob]

. I tried Scotch once when I was about 24 and I wasn't manly enough for it.

that's got nothing to do with it. Trust me if I can enjoy neat Scotch so easily it's not manliness that it takes.

 

[bullet08]

Room temp with a drop of good spring water. Make sure to enjoy the smell while holding the tumbler in the hand.

 

[anotherbob]

if you're really not able to enjoy it. Although a terrible thing to do with Scotch ginger ale is a good mix if you mix it like one with a gin and tonic. But only if it's the only way to finish the bottle.

 

[shanez]

try some Macallan 12

^^^^That's a "gateway" Scotch!

I always recommend people not "drink" their Scotch. Instead, sip it. It's all about flavor.

Have some water or your favorite wine or beer on hand. Enjoy your pipe and take small, almost tiny, sips of the Scotch with it. Drink the water/wine/beer as necessary or if you're just thirsty.

 

[alaskanpiper]

^^^^That's a "gateway" Scotch!

I always recommend people not "drink" their Scotch. Instead, sip it. It's all about flavor.

Have some water or your favorite wine or beer on hand. Enjoy your pipe and take small, almost tiny, sips of the Scotch with it. Drink the water/wine/beer as necessary or if you're just thirsty.

Hahaha, exactly!

 

[mikethompson]

All scotch should be served neat

Agreed.

I always recommend people not "drink" their Scotch. Instead, sip it. It's all about flavor

I always recommend people not "drink" their Scotch. Instead, sip it. It's all about flavor

Agreed again. Also goes for pipe tobacco.

 

[cohibajoe]

Anyone of these would be on my 1st list....The Glenmorangie Scotch Single Malt 18 Year Extremely Rare would be trouble....SO SMOOTH....Just had for lunch Glenfiddich 18yr and a Cuban.

 

[BROBS]

Flavor?! No.
An old boot has flavor as well, that I’d rather not experience.

never have liked scotch but good luck to you, sir!

 

[morgansteele]

Lagavulin 16 is an exceptional whisky and, as others have noted, can be intimidating. My 1st Lagavulin 16 was not a good experience but it evolved into one of my favorite bottles over a period of about 10 years.

 

[shanez]

Lagavulin 16 is an exceptional whisky and, as others have noted, can be intimidating. My 1st Lagavulin 16 was not a good experience but it evolved into one of my favorite bottles over a period of about 10 years.

Similar thing here. I didn't care for it the first couple of times but then one time it just hit me and now it's my go to for a peaty Scotch.

 

[pitchfork]

I love the stuff. So smooth and velvety. But also a ton of peat.

Agree with the others -- drink it neat or with just a bit of water to take the edge off.

 

[Briar Baron]

I have been drinking Lagavulin 16 from about 15 years ago. Yes, neat for me but with one ice cube. The ice cube starts to melt and that does the same as the drops of water some suggest (IMHO of course). That being said finish the glass before the cube melts too much otherwise it is too diluted. Usually I drink it without an accompaniment.

 

[BarrelProof]

I’ve never found a better gateway Scotch than Aberlour 12.

I’ll disagree with someone above - if you don’t like it, don’t mix it with ginger ale. You wouldn’t take a tobacco you didn’t like and roll it in a Swisher sweet and get after it, you’d cellar it and come back to it when your palate has evolved and it’s had time to mellow. Apply this to the Lagavulin. It won’t really mellow, but you’ll get time to refine your appreciation for the whisky in the interim.

 

[boston]

Nothing to worry about, there is no way to mess this up. Just enjoy neat, and sip slowly. Anyone will be fine with that first rate scotch. It's not something to look for if you are thirsty, it's all about mountains of flavor. Add ice if you wish, it will dilute a bit, but slow and steady will assure that you will enjoy it. Have fun!

 

[musicman]

As others have said, Lagavulin 16 is an exceptional dram. Like you, it was my first bottle of scotch as well, and it’s still my favorite scotch out there. While it’s smoky and peaty, I find it to be the smoothest, most balanced of the Islay scotches, with a backbone of sweetness to counteract the smokiness. I’d try it on its own before trying it while smoking, and as other have said, try it neat, then with a splash of water. And enjoy! If you like the smokiness and you want more of that, pick up some Laphraoig, and if you like the sweetness, look for some speyside scotches such as Macallan, Aberlour, or the Balvenie.

 

[cshubhra]

All good advices above. If you try it and get overwhelmed by the peat, Caol Ila 12 and Talisker 10 (Or Talisker Storm) and very good entry points to peaty scotch.

 

[Pierre1965]

Thanks for all the advice. I just finished my first "finger" of this amazing libation. I drank it neat and was expecting a lot of heat, but found that it was incredibly smooth. I took very small sips and held them in my mouth for a second or two to get a sense of mouth feel and experience the taste and smells. I'm so happy I "manned" up and gave this a go! It was hard not to pour a second glass, but I wanted to think on it for a bit and evaluate what I'd tasted. Tomorrow I plan to have another glass and pair it with some of my Syrian Latakia; something tells me they'll go well together. I'm excited, but may have just added another expensive taste to my budget.