Ardbeg 10 vs Lagavulin 16 year old Whisky

Today I look at another battle of big Islay malts; Ardbeg 10 vs Lagavulin 16 year old whisky. Both these single malt Scotch drams achieved cult status with peat heads. When you mention Islay whisky, one of the first drams that come to mind is the Lagavulin 16 year old whisky.

Another Islay legend is the Ardbeg Scotch whisky and the passion for Ardbeg reaches fever pitch all over the world on Ardbeg Day.  But when you put these drams in a blind tasting next to each other, how do they stack up?

Ardbeg 10 year old Whisky

Ardbeg Distillery is situated on the south coast of the isle of Islay. Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy owns the distillery  and produces a heavily peated Islay whisky. Ardbeg single malt Scotch whisky is peated to 55 ppm. The Ardbeg 10 year old whisky is aged for at least 10 years in ex-bourbon barrels.

Lagavulin 16 year old Whisky

Lagavulin’s name is the English translation of the Gaelic ‘Lag a’a’ Mhuilinn’, which means the mill’s hollow. Lagavulin was one of the six whiskies marketed as part of the Diageo’ Classic Malts of Scotland’ range.

Lagavulin distillery is known for its use of a slow distillation speed and pear-shaped pot stills. The Lagavulin 16 year old single malt Scotch whisky is peated to 35 ppm.

Also Read: GlenDronach 18 vs 21 yo Whisky

Ardbeg 10 vs Lagavulin 16 year old Whisky

	Ardbeg 10 yo whisky	Lagavulin 16 yo whisky
ABV	46%	43%
Region	Islay Whisky	Islay Whisky
Peat Level	55 to 65 ppm	35 ppm
Colour	Pale Straw with green hints	Dark Gold
Nose	Peat and smoke with hints of vanilla, sea salt and citrus sweetness. It is not overwhelming but inviting and intriguing.	Liquorice, smoke, hints of peat with a fruity sweetness.  Bits of oak, iodine, and vanilla. Delicate and well balanced.
Palate	After the initial peat, some warming citrus and hints of vanilla. It continues to bring you hints of coffee and a bit of iodine.  This Ardbeg 10 yo is a big whisky but not overwhelming at all.	Dry oak, peat with hints of cherry sweetness and smoke.  Medium body with iodine and tar in the background.  A bit one-sided.
Finish	What an epic finish! You will remember the Ardbeg 10 yo long after you have emptied the glass.	Medium length with peat and hints of oak and vanilla.
My Rating	Excellent	Very Good
Comments	Complex and well balanced	Lacks some complexity and has a few sharp edges.
Price	$65	$108
Pairs well with	Garlic leg of Lamb or a charcuterie platter	Blue Stilton

When John and I first tasted the Lagavulin 16 year old whisky, we looked at each other and frowned. It did not live up to our expectations. We felt that it was a bit one dimensional and boring. In the blind tasting, against the Ardbeg 10 year old whisky, the difference was even more evident.

The first difference between these two Islay drams is the peat level. The Lagavulin is peated at 35 ppm, and the Ardbeg sits at 55 ppm. There is also a big difference in the taste of the peat. The Lagavulin has more medicinal notes, and the Ardbeg has more ocean salt and fishy notes.

The Lagavulin 16 year old Scotch brings notes of dry oak, cherries and vanilla. Yes, it is peaty with smoke and fruity sweetness, but it lacks the complexity and wow factor. It has a medium body and a medium length finish.

The Ardbeg 10 year old has peat, smoke, sea salt, vanilla and citrus notes. There are hints of coffee and light iodine with an epic finish. It is big, bold, and complex. Just delicious.

Ardbeg is less medicinal than Laphroaig, however, it is more balanced and complex. Lagavulin has a more oily mouthfeel than the Ardbeg; however, the oiliness also seems to capture some raw alcohol notes.

The Ardbeg is drinkable and smooth and invites you back time after time. For my palate, this has a clear winner! The Ardbeg 10 year old every time.

I have done a side by side comparison between the Ardbeg Uigeadail and the Lagavulin 16 year old whisky as well to see how they stack up against each other.

Also Read: Ardbeg 10 vs An Oa Whisky