Lagavulin 11 Years (2024) Offerman 4th Edition

Nose

Raise your glass and you are immediately transported into a world of cold smoke and gentle sea spray. There is a slight hint of iodine, just as you would expect from a Lagavulin. But there is more: a gentle vanilla sweetness provides balance, accompanied by subtle citrus accents and an almost floral freshness. A hint of menthol-like ice candy flashes up and brings a cool, slightly minty note into play. The flavour is unmistakably Islay, but with a little Offerman twist.

Palate

The smoke remains present on the tongue, but it does not dominate the entire experience. Instead, the whisky opens with a pleasant fruitiness - pear and apple provide a subtle sweetness that elegantly complements the smoky foundation. The texture is soft, almost creamy, with a slightly ashy undertone reminiscent of cooled charcoal. Lagavulin shows a somewhat more accessible side here, without losing its Islay character.

Finish

The finish is long, voluminous and expressive. Oaky notes prevail, accompanied by a gentle peppery flavour - white pepper briefly tickles the palate before a hint of icing sugar joins in and rounds off the finish with a mild sweetness. It is a classic Islay finish, but without the brutal force that some younger bottlings bring.