New Release: Lagavulin 1992-2016 23 Year Old Official for China #5745 55.7%

This is also up to the standard of MHD quality. Lagavulin LAGAVULIN 1992-2016 23yo OB for China #5745 55.7% one of 420 bottles, BODEGA SHERRY EUROPEAN OAK The aroma features apricot jam, plum jam, ripe plums, chocolate, rich malt, seafood stock umami, and a strong peaty earthiness. Upon drinking, it expands with concentrated fruits like plum jam, a sweet and savory balance of rich sweetness and subtle bitterness, dashi umami, malty depth, a gradual strong peatiness, and a long finish. 【Very Good】 This is the official single cask Lagavulin 1992, aged for 23 years, released last year. It is noted that the cask was selected by a Chinese individual named BOYAO ZHAO. I have no memory of any Lagavulin single cask bottling for Japan, so it's a bit frustrating to not know how strong the person behind this selection was. I knew about its release, but since it's a China-exclusive bottle, I had no way to purchase it and thought I'd never get the chance to try it. However, a customer from Ginza managed to purchase it for me, allowing me to finally taste it. The label states it's from Bodega Sherry European Oak, but there are rumors that it might be from Diageo's Solera system casks, which typically use American white oak. Therefore, I'm a bit unsure about the exact specifications of these casks. Regarding the core content, it has a well-balanced sherry influence with rich maltiness and a strong peatiness that clearly asserts itself. Upon tasting, it still has an aromatic expansion with pleasant sherry notes enveloping the entire palate. The balance between sweetness and bitterness is enjoyable, retaining a Diageo-like maltiness with sufficient umami. The peatiness resembles that of an Islay cask strength, and I felt this malt was well-balanced as a sherry cask from Islay. Among the recent Lagavulin sherry casks released around the same era, there are three: Bicentenary 25yo, a charity single cask 1991 for exchange, and this China-exclusive one. Which is preferable would be a matter of opinion. Personally, I found the Bicentenary 25yo's elegance to stand out, followed by the charity 1991 for its thickness and clear contours, while this 1992 has a balanced feel unlike typical single casks. All three are extremely delicious, but my personal preference order is as mentioned. Regarding these three bottles, since they were bottled in the Bicentenary year, I believe they will continue to be discussed for a long time. I truly appreciate having the opportunity to taste this. #Lagavulin (LAGAVULIN)