Lagavulin Distillers Edition is the 16-year-old (or thereabouts) given a second maturation in ex-Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, bottled at 43% ABV, released annually with a vintage on the label. It takes the heavy, oily, earthy Lagavulin peat and layers a dark, sweet, dried-fruit-and-chocolate richness over it from the PX. The result is divisive among Lagavulin purists (who prefer the bourbon-only clean peat of the standard 16) and beloved by others (who like the smoke-plus-sweetness combination). Critically it sits roughly level with the standard 16, sometimes a touch above, sometimes a touch below, depending on the year.
It costs more than the standard 16, usually £75 to £100, which is the main argument against it: you're paying a premium for a sherry finish on a whisky that's already excellent without one. If you love the standard 16 and want a sweeter, richer variation, it's a worthwhile occasional buy; if you're choosing one Lagavulin to own, the standard 16 is the better value.
Buy this if you love Lagavulin 16 and want the sweeter, PX-finished version for variety. Skip it if you're buying your first Lagavulin (get the standard 16) or if you find peat-plus-sherry too much. The right price is £75 to £95. Above £100 the standard 16 is the smarter buy.
Positive on both axes, a credible recommendation.
- plusTakes the excellent Lagavulin 16 base and adds a dark, sweet PX richness. A genuine variation, not a gimmick.
- plusAnnual vintage releases mean each year is slightly its own thing, which collectors enjoy.
- plusIf you love the standard 16, this is the obvious 'something different' from the same distillery.
- caveatCosts more than the standard 16 (usually £75 to £100) for a sherry finish on an already-excellent whisky.
- caveatDivisive among purists, who prefer the bourbon-only clean peat of the standard 16.
- caveatPeat-plus-sherry is a lot; if either alone is at your limit, this is over it.
- flagDiageo's Distillers Edition program (across Lagavulin, Talisker, Oban, Caol Ila, etc.) is partly a premiumisation play: a finish, a vintage, a higher price.
- flagThe vintage on the label invites collector speculation; some years trade above retail on the secondary market, which has nothing to do with what's in the bottle.