hs305 scored this whisky 90 points

...and guess what? It proves the consistent high quality of Lagavulin releases with pride! No flaw or off-note (anyone had a sulphur-spoiled Lagavulin ever?) but an impressive, balanced and dangerously quaffable dram at a very reasonable price (it is a real bargain at 58 Euros these days). Beside Glenfarclas and Caol Ila the most reliable high-quality distillery out there...
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The colour is tawny (using caramel to fix it) and the nose offers what I expected and hoped for: An adorable mix of maritime-peaty, PX sherry and sweet malty aromas in a perfect balanced setting. No off-note that I can find (how come that I never ever had sulphur-spoiled Lagavulin? Congrats to the guys that check the quality of the incoming empty casks, hopefully it stays that way...).
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The taste is delicious sherry and barley sugary sweet that is perfectly countered by the rather bitter phenols and delicious spicy woods. It is not truly layered but who needs different layers if all works in such a perfect harmony? Later some herbs and tasty chocolatey flavours show up again without any flaw or imbalance. This is very, very quaffable (as usual)...
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The initial mouthfeel is creamy and instantly coats all of the mouth - ooh, how I like such an arrival! No distracting bitter or drying moments at all, again a perfect cask selection. The finish is long and gets spicier with more herbal flavours towards the end what is a nice counter-point to the very sweet first tasting impression. The chocolates grow stronger too as do the phenols, turning the finish even more impressive than the taste itself. No distracting moment at all and water is not needed - this dram is perfect as it is...