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Originally Posted by Franz Josef
Definitely Laphroaig. Ardbeg's not bad but just not quite as peaty. Try a Laphroaig thirty if you can get it.  |
Finally having tried Ardbeg and Lagavulin, I finally have an opinion to offer about the differences between the major Islays. As far as peatiness goes, Ardbeg is a wet smoke...it comes across as damp soil and how I would expect munching on compost would taste. Laphroaig is more coal and wood ash. Lagavulin is similar to Laphroaig, slightly less peat, smooth and dry at the same time. Caol Ila is lively, effervescent and has the most lingering smoke of them all.
My personal preference would be Lagavulin, Laphroaig then Ardbeg. Caol Ila is different enough to head its own category.
And then there's Kilchoman which I think is very reminiscent of Ardmore (the peaty Speyside). Big thumbs up for these two as well.