Ardbeg Uigeadail VS Lagavulin 16

[@SpicoliRatBeach]

Like most everyone, I loved Lag 16. I did the same thing as you and tried it side by side with Uigeadail out of curiosity, fully expecting the Lag 16 to kick its ass. I was shocked when I found the Uigeadail better in every way. Granted, I was using an older bottle of Lagavulin from a couple of years ago when they still had the seal. Maybe I’ll give the Lag 16 another look if the quality has improved as much as you say. Thanks for the review.

[@gman5986]

Totally enjoyed your video. Going out tomorrow to buy my first Lagavulin 16

[@topshelfwhisky]

G man awesome! Tell me your thoughts when you have time.

[@MFDOOM85]

Love your reviews brother! Keep it up. Greetings from the netherlands

[@topshelfwhisky]

Greetings! and happy holidays. Thanks for stopping by.

[@khaldounsamman9128]

I agree, Ardbeg is slipping relative to Lagavulin and Port Charlotte. The latter two are my two favorites of peated Scotch.

[@alfredbm1448]

Excellent review of 2 excellent whiskies

[@danielgrandon2701]

I debated between the two but have never had the Ardbeg Uigeadail. Both are really good.

[@timhet200]

The Uigeadail smokes everything I drink with it…has 7 to 21 year old whisky in it. Different league to the L16.

[@choppersplace]

Newbie to your channel and to whiskey and scotch. Enjoyed this review thanks... I recall Roy of Aquivitae saying a really useful way to pull out aromas and flavours is by doing side by side comparisons.... So thanks for reinforcing that tip.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Welcome! I definitely pick up different or "hidden" aromas when I compare at times, it's a good bit of the fun... Roy is a very knowable guy, I wish he would do his live streams later in the day so I could attend more. But he is absolutely someone I have a lot of respect for regarding whisky.

[@choppersplace]

@@topshelfwhisky I have the ardbeg ugi (untried saving for fall) and 200ml samplers each of the kilchoman Sanaig and Machir bay, and the Port Charlotte 10 heavily peated... All unopened... Will order in the lagavulin 16 too... Fall's going to be a good time for comparisons... I'm a newbie to whiskey...admire how you can pick up so many aromas and flavours... I'm also using an aroma wheel to help out.

[@foodquig]

Great review! I should get me another Lag 16 one of these days, but a Corry would go down better for me than an Uigea!

[@gman5986]

Love the Uigeadail but the ARDBEG CORRYVRECKAN is a slight step richer for me and so is the price.

[@lquirouette1]

Originally I thought Uigeadail was my favorite of the two until I tried them side by side. Although I love both of them, I agree, the Lagavulin is so much more complex than the Uigeadail. Of course that is my personal, humble not an expert, opinion. I wouldn't refuse either for a gift.

[@johncollinson4147]

Lagavulin is 43% ABV. They’ve diluted out the whiskey. Ardbeg has more flavour at the higher ABV every day.

[@themaltedmancave9499]

Awesome video....for me it’s not a fair comparison because I think I would like the Lag 16 way better if it was the same ABV as the oogie. As they currently stand it’s about a tie for me. I had an awesome time dramming with you the other day!

[@topshelfwhisky]

The Malted Man Cave always a good time buddy! #domeoftherock

[@gman5986]

Have you tried ARDBEG CORRYVRECKAN? Its highly praised by most reviewers. I think its a better dram than the Ugy but love both.

[@topshelfwhisky]

I sure have, it's review #53. Probably a better whisky but I prefer the sherry notes of the Uigeadail and the price for a bottle thats was a regular drinker. At least I used to.

[@WhiskyGeek]

Interesting comparison Mike. I think I prefer the Corryvreckan to the Oogie - at the moment I feel the sweet sherry influence squashes too much of the subtleties to the Ardbeg character in the Oogie. That's just based off of the pours, samples & mini's I've had so far though. I've got a bottle sat waiting to be appreciated and I'm hoping that I'll get that same 'revelation' part way through the bottle as I keep experiencing with Ardbegs 🥃👍 How's that whisky throne coming along now? 😜

[@topshelfwhisky]

Whisky Geek Still need more bottles for the whisky throne but one day it will be built.

[@robbyjayroe7831]

I think I have read/heard from Ardbeg that all their normal line of bottles always start with the 10 year old. So it is at least a 10 year old at its youngest barrel in it.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Rob Cho I think the Uggie has much younger whisky than 10 years, but if you can find an article, send me a link.

[@gabrielgvs0619]

You're going to have to build a separate throne for that liver of yours, Mike. :)

[@topshelfwhisky]

gabrielgv0619 It’s all about spacing in time, lol. I had plenty of help with most of the bottles, my friends can always be counted on for that. ;)

[@thewhiskyscout1238]

All right I need to get some ugie I have got to try it again never had a bottle just a dram at a bar and I don’t remember it.

[@mekore]

i always got at least half bottle of lagavulin 16. An ardbeg Corryvreckan appeared in my local bottle shop, but 50% more than lagavulin 16. what do you think?

[@topshelfwhisky]

I like Corryvrevkan, very unique dram with high abv... I would put it this way. Lagavulin 16 is much older and probably a better whisky IMO but corry is cask strength and probably my favorite Ardbeg of the core range. If you like cask strength whisky, give it a try.

[@nikyyo5]

I'm surprised at how expensive the Lag 16 is by you. I'm in NYC and I pay about $64 at Astor Wines when they have their periodic 15% off whisky sale. At $64, the Lag 16 is an absolute steal. Even their regular price is $75 and Astor is generally an overpriced NYC wine and liquor store. Couldn't agree with your review more. I really love them both.

[@topshelfwhisky]

nikyyo b just went on sale for $79 in Columbus, but still not close to $64... at least it’s not Canada, they really pay a high price.

[@travisfaircloth]

Nice review Mike but totally disagree lol. I love both of these too but think the oogie beats out the lag 16 in nose, taste, finish, price.... I have only had Uigeadail bottles from 2014 and 2013. I have heard the newer ones are not as good. The e150, low abv, and chill filtering certainly doesn't help. Can you imagine a 48%-54%, nat color, and ncf Lag 16yr? Has Lagavulin ever confirmed the types of casks used? I know the Uigeadail has oloroso casks in it.

[@sd3gunner]

never heard that Lagavulin 16 has gotten better since 2016 when they dropped the red paper seal.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Travis H maybe it’s just me but it’s seems to be richer... just my opinion.

[@sd3gunner]

@@topshelfwhisky well after 62 bottles I think you might know! Lol altho I do like the look of the bottle with a paper seal over the non paper sealed version.

[@philllindauer5006]

I have to disagree. The Arbeg is a better scotch whiskey by far.

[@richardblancas1388]

First? So similar but so different. One lacks depth, one lacks punch. Lag16 (Red Velvet Cake).. Cheers

[@topshelfwhisky]

Richard Blancas that’s a good take, I like that explanation.

[@gordonclaxton8916]

Just had my first Scotch taste-off with Uigeadail and Lagavulin 16...I was sucked into a blackhole never to be seen again.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Well done, sir. 😉

[@creoleviking8433]

I just did this last night by accident.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Thoughts?