#whiskyPhDram No. 15. Lagavulin 16. Barbecue, Binatog Lime. Islay Single Malt Scotch.

Nose - mild smokiness and barbecue pork ribs, sweet grains like binatog (boiled corn kernels, sweetened with grated coconut and white sugar), some lime citrus rind, a little detergent and with time there is salt in there too.

Palate - Honey sweetness at the tip of the tongue, the freshness of lime with savory barbecue sauce on the sides of the palate, a little bit of funk from a sweaty shirt. The middle of the palate is balanced with baked apples, watery and tame.

Finish - Long. Starts with mild Betadine (iodine) that grows in intensity. Cooked apples, walnuts, steamed grains and tobacco leaves and memories of more barbecue sauce.

Feels like an outdoor afternoon merienda.

Here we go! This week we head to the southern portion of Islay for some peaty heavy-hitters. Lagavulin 16 is the entry-level offering from #Lagavulin distillery. It's matured 16 years in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

While Ardbeg and Laphroaig focus more on punching you in the face with a peat brick, Lagavulin is more subtle and balanced focusing your attention more on its complexity. Don't be fooled though it is still very smoky and powerful at 35ppm.

Do I like it? Absolutely! But as a personal preference, not as much as the standard #Ardbeg or #Laphroaig. I do like how it balances sweet, savory and citrusy notes.

What I don't like about it though its its retail price here in the Philippines. This generally sells for between P4,500-P5,500 which seems pretty steep for an entry-level whisky. There is still a great deal available from @liquor.ph though where they sell it for the amazing price of only P2,910. At that price, you should definitely get a bottle!

🥃🥃🥃🥃/5

I made it to 1,000 followers this week! Thanks for following #whiskyPh! 🥃

Image Courtesy of @WhiskyPH

@WhiskyPH

At its core, whisky appreciation is an exercise in memory. Notes of a whisky enthusiast in the Philippines. 🥃🇵🇭