Lagavulin

Released to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Lagavulin distillery by John Johnston in 1816, this eight-year-old is big and smoky, with sweet spice that becomes apparent with a drop of water. Inspired by the visit of Alfred Barnard to the distillery in the 1880s when he tried an 'exceptionally fine' eight-year-old from the distillery, this is a fitting tribute for the milestone.

The Islay representative in the 'Classic Malts' series is a deep, dry and exceptionally peaty bruiser. Probably the most pungent of all Islay malts, Lagavulin is not for the faint-hearted but inspires fanatical devotion in its many followers.

Bottled in 2015, this is the 1999 vintage of Lagavulin's Distillers Edition. By far the most popular of the series, this double-matured Lagavulin has had a finishing period in sweet, sticky Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. A whisky that never disappoints.

The 1998 vintage of Lagavulin's Distillers Edition. By far the most popular of the series, this double-matured Lagavulin has had a finishing period in sweet, sticky Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. A whisky that never disappoints.

The 12th release of 12 year old Lagavulin from Diageo's Special Releases range. A perennial favourite, balancing price against a punchy cask strength edition of whisky from one of Islay's most mysterious distilleries.

The 13th release of Lagavulin 12 year old from Diageo's Special Releases range. A longstanding favourite, this was the biggest and most fully flavoured of the 2013 lineup, and could well be the best 12yo yet.

Lagavulin 12 year old is always one of the most anticipated bottlings in Diageo's Special Releases. As before, this is a full strength bottling from American oak casks.

The 2009 release of cask-strength Lagavulin 12 year old is a simply superb bottling. One of the highlights of this year's Special Releases, this will delight fans of the distillery.

Lagavulin's popular limited edition Distiller's Edition, distilled in 1995, finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, and bottled in 2013. An extra layer of sweetness soothes the rough edges of this much-loved dram.

As reliably excellent as ever, the 2011 Special Releases Lagavulin 12 year old was distilled in 1999 and vatted from refill American oak casks. As year oldu'd expect, this is a very upfront, sooty-sweet Lagavulin in the classic style.

Bottled in 2012, this 1996 edition of Lagavulin's Distillers Edition (probably the most sought after in the range) combines the regular rich, peat smoke that the distillery is known for with a finishing period in sweet Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for even more depth of flavour.

A rare independent release of Lagavulin, bottled in 2004 for The Syndicate, which seems from the back label to be a group of five guys, in Bruichladdich's bottling hall.

This 1995 vintage Lagavulin is finished in casks previously containing Pedro Ximenez sherry, and is the most popular of the 'Distillers Edition' expressions of the Classic Malts. A delicious layer of sherry sweetness smooths out the rough edges of the standard bottling.

Lagavulin is probably Diageo's most highly-rated distillery, with its muscular peaty presence and flashes of honey sending most of the cognoscenti into a swoon. This 15yo from 1993 is probably the most eagerly-awaited of the Managers' Choice series, particularly as it's one of only a handful of sherried single cask Lagavulins ever released.

The oldest-ever release from the distillery, this 37 year old was part of Diageo's 2013 Special Releases. A mix of European and American oak, it has depth and incredible intensity for such an old Islay whisky.