A prized Lagavulin, from the last two 1993 casks, filled in the year the distillery won the first of an avalanche of international awards. It was the start of a golden era, a success that owed much to an Islay legend, Manager Grant Carmichael.

A Lagavulin at its mature peak with redcurrant fruitiness on the nose, soon overcome by the maritime scents of sea salt and sweet seaweed. Lightly oily, the smooth texture delivers a long mellow finish, a gloriously rich and rounded whisky.

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: Deep amber with ruby lights. Shiny chestnut. Very good beading and legs.

Body: Medium to full.

Nose: A mellow nose in feel, with light prickle. Redcurrant fruitiness is soon overcome by maritime scents of sea-salt and sweet seaweed on a base of woodsmoke.

Palate: Lightly oily and smooth in texture. An immediately sweet and lightly spicy start with winey fruit, a balancing pinch of salt and soon, appreciable pepper and smoke flooding through. Rich in style, with drying oak tannins and lightly drying later.

Finish: Long, with a deep peppery smokiness: slightly mouth-cooling, with more smoke in the peaty aftertaste.