Last year Lagavulin released a 16-year-old special edition whisky and this year (2009) it’s continuing the cycle, offering a single malt double-matured in Pedro Ximinez sherry wood casks.

This is a smoother whisky than last year’s phenolic monster, more delicate while still carrying plenty of briny, peaty notes that Lagavulin is so well-known for. The sherry character is especially pronounced, giving this Islay malt a bit more balance than might otherwise be expected. Still plenty of bite on the finish, capping things off with a charcoal and caramel mix that’s hard to shake.

86 proof.

B+ / $110 / malts.com