Revisit - Ardbeg Ten, Ardbeg Uigeadail, Laphroaig Lore, Lagavulin 16

We decided to revisit the smokey whiskies as a few weeks have past since our blind taste testing.
• Scotch Whisky Challeng...
Last time we had them ordered...
1. Lagavulin 16
2. Laphroaig Lore
3. Ardbeg Uigeadail (burned by high ABV)
4. Ardbeg Ten

[@jessievoisin5462]

Another great video. Enjoyed your banter

[@andrewcrawford1540]

If you liked Ardbeg Uig., try Kilchoman Sanaig. This one is also loaded with flavor & depth, but is much easier to drink.

[@WhiskyMystery]

We had Loch Gorm but did not like it as much as the 100% Islay.

[@ScotchTestDummies]

Great video Phil and Deepa! A great lineup to compare. Sorry I'm just now subscribing, but I thought I already had after your first big blind comparison!

[@WhiskyMystery]

Much appreciated.

[@Aqvavitae]

Enjoyed this catch up. On price I think the Lagavulin looked expensive for what you're paying over there, but I'm always mindful that it's a 16 year old whisky and amazed the price stays affordable year after year. I think in time the Ardbeg 10 may also seduce you with its less obvious side. Once you get past the dry and powerful smoke and ash there's actually a lot of finesse. But it takes the right moment for sure, and if it causes you to pause a movie to talk about it, that's cool.

[@WhiskyMystery]

I saw Lagavulin 16 in Costco for $57 + Tax = $60 ish. Which puts it right on target for our scoring. I Gave it 88.5 :-)

[@FEWGEE1]

Lagavulin 16 isn't so affordable now..

[@WhiskyMystery]

Sadly true

[@TYCHO2003]

“Easier to watch a movie with Lagavulin”... refreshing approach, and surprisingly true....and very bold to come back to these peat monsters 🦖

[@WhiskyMystery]

We do like the peat. But they can be a challenge

[@billrussell1933]

Great lineup to try out!

[@WhiskyMystery]

Thanks Bill

[@precariousdave]

I know all these and think there is a place in the cupboard for all of them on a long term basis, though Lore is the one struggling to make the shortlist. Might suggest adding a Ledaig 10 to the comparison, if available. 88 is quite a tough bar to jump!

[@WhiskyMystery]

Good suggestion Dave

[@Cam5000]

Nice review. Although I didn't like how you cut Deepa off at 8:26.

[@WhiskyMystery]

Fair comment

[@EvanKristiansen]

I agree with your assessment from my own experience as well. You should try Laphroaig Quarter Cask! I like it better than the Lagavoulin, and it's a very easy drinker.

[@WhiskyMystery]

I will add quarter cask to the 'test' list for the next bar visit. Thanks.

[@EvanKristiansen]

@@WhiskyMystery also lagavoulin Distiller's edition!

[@seanoconnor2865]

Those bottles are pretty empty. I'm wondering if oxidation is a factor in your current tastings.

[@WhiskyMystery]

The blind bottles are filled to the shoulder with some air in the top which should be good for long term I think. We take about 200ml out of teh 750ml bottle

[@seanoconnor2865]

@@WhiskyMystery Yes, but I was commenting on your video looking back at Ardbeg 10, Uigeadail, Lagavulin 16, Laphroaig Lore.

[@WhiskyMystery]

@@seanoconnor2865 We bought the bottles within six weeks of this revisit video. So probably not. More likely just us.

[@EuropaWill]

Wow i'm a bit surprised at your assessment of Ardbeg 10 as "all smoke and nothing else". The last time I had Ardbeg 10 at a friends house I remarked at the very ashy smoke note which was very prominent, but also noted it had a delightful sweetness that interplayed with it quite deliciously in more of a supporting role. There were other notes in it as well so it wasn't one dimensional for me at all. Have you tried adding a few drops of distilled water to any of these before you make up your mind on them? I didn't see you add any water to Ardbeg 10 or Laphroig Lore during this group rating which I think is a flawed premise as most people will normalize the abv down to the 40-46% range or even a touch lower to help mute the alcohol bite and tongue numbing effect of the high abv.

[@WhiskyMystery]

Hi EuropaWill. I think you are probably correct and we would certainly find more in these today (I hope) after gaining more experience. Deepa always complains when I add water to peated whisky :-)

[@EuropaWill]

Captain 3D let her complain but don't let that stop you. Numbing your tongue with higher than 40% abv largely invalidates your tasting results. So if you are looking for subtlety in a high ABV scotch you're likely not to find it as you are handicapping your tongues ability to taste flavors. What I do is taste it neat always, then I add half tsp of water, taste again and then another half tsp and taste again. You'll be surprised that in many cases a high ABV scotch will get sweeter with a tiny bit of water added vs neat. Your enjoyment will likely increase as well. Curious how the Laphroaig lore would change for you if you did that.

[@WhiskyMystery]

@@EuropaWill It is all part of the fun. We like (have no choice) making mistakes and then revisiting later. I use water quite a bit now. Thanks for the tips.

[@chrislowes1772]

My two favorites. I think I like the Ardbeg better though

[@WhiskyMystery]

Hard to beat for that price.

[@michaelward9880]

$71 for Lagavulin 16 ?!!?! Where do you live? Last time I looked it was $114 at Total Wine. Wow! What a steal! Congrats!

[@WhiskyMystery]

Hi Michael. Even post tariff our local Total Wine, near San Francisco is at $81+tax. Where are you? Sounds expensive. www.totalwine.com/spirits/scotch/single-malt/lagavulin-16-yr/p/643750?s=1125&igrules=true

[@hoviggh]

Why!?

[@WhiskyMystery]

That question is deep.

[@WhiskyGeek]

Problem with doing these videos is you will keep getting recommendations! I like the Ardbeg Uigeadail but prefer their Corryvreckan which seems to be a touch cheaper over this side. The Lore sounded disappointing. I do love Laphroaig but have seen mixed reviews on the Lore. Lagavulin will always be a favourite for me. Their Distillers Edition is cracking. I'd also recommend getting your hands on some Caol Ila Moch and Bunnahabhain 12 if you can, they're excellent value for money over here.

[@WhiskyMystery]

I had a look and the Corryvreckan is approx 25% more expensive here (higher ABV factored in). But will give it ago once Uigeadail is empty. I do need to add a Lagavulin Distillers Edition also. Thanks for the tips.

[@WhiskyGeek]

@@WhiskyMystery Ah that's a shame - odd how the geography affects the pricing on spirits from the same distillery :s

[@WhiskyMystery]

Whisky Geek as if by magic I found a Corryvrecken mini for $5 tonight in a local shop. 30 mins later caught a good deal on a dusty Glenfarclas 17 for $85. So now we will have to compare the mini with Uigeadail and the ten

[@WhiskyGeek]

@@WhiskyMystery $5 isn't bad for a mini! Hope you find it interesting at least ;-) I've been eyeing up a Glenfarclas advent calendar for next year, some really expensive samples in it and it's half price at the moment! I'm yet to try a bottle from them that I've wanted to pick up to be honest, I think they have quite a lot of batch differences. Will keep an eye out for the comparison

[@willacamo7177]

Pongan subtítulos en español para los que no saben ingles ,muy buen video

[@WhiskyMystery]

Lo siento pero no sé español :-)

[@philllindauer5006]

The Arbeg Ten tastes like licking a hospital floor that has had iodine spilled on it. YUK LOL

[@WhiskyMystery]

Ha yes but somehow we keep going back to it.

[@philllindauer5006]

@@WhiskyMystery If you drink it as soon as you open it it is not so bad. Once it starts oxidizing I have a hard time getting the motivation to drink it. xD My all time favorite is Ardbeg Uigeadail with a splash or two of cold filtered water. IMO, Adding water helps all whiskeys. I really like this guy and how he appreciates whiskey. xD.... He cracks me up too but I did learn a few things from him about tasting whiskey. Part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKO1oKGehsmFmrM Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/i56oZZ6vnMSJmNE

[@WhiskyMystery]

@@philllindauer5006 Now almost a year later we really enjoy peated whisky.

[@tjross1313]

I've never got hospital/iodine out of an Ardbeg 10. Laphroaig 10? Oh for sure! Definitely. But Ardbeg 10??