1995 Distillers Edition

About

Lagavulin is known for its smoky, peaty character, and the 1995 Distillers Edition stands as a testament to why this Islay distillery commands such respect. Distilled in 1995 and bottled in 2011 after years maturing on Islay, this release takes the distillery's signature and deepens it through an unconventional finish. The Pedro Ximénez sherry cask finish is the key. Rather than soften Lagavulin's peat and smoke, it amplifies them — the sweetness arrives not as a mask but as a counterpoint. Beneath the dominant peat and salt, you find dried fruit, honey, and toffee, layered with candied orange and dark chocolate notes. The 43% ABV keeps everything in balance; the whisky feels substantial without aggression, its texture oily and velvety. At the time of release, this was one of Diageo's six 'Classic Malts,' a designation that reflects Lagavulin's standing in the pantheon of Islay distilleries. The 1995 vintage in particular has aged into something mature and complex — not a beginner's Islay, but a whisky for those who already understand peat and salt, and want to explore what happens when smoke meets Spanish oak.

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