Lagavulin 9 Year Shelf Review

Shelf Review
Designed to give you all the quick hit information you need when you’re standing in front of your local liquor store’s whisky shelf.

Some things are better left in the past.

Season 8 of Game of Thrones is one of them.

It’s hard to believe that it was all the way back in 2019 when that fateful final season debuted. The buildup to the season was huge – with many brands jumping into the hysteria around it. One such brand was Diageo (one of the largest drinks companies in the world) who used the final season as an opportunity to release a series of Scotch whiskies that reflected the character of various Houses of Westeros.

I already reviewed the Mortlach 15 year and realized I hadn’t yet written up any of the other bottles from the series. Better late than never, I suppose. So today we will dive into this Lagavulin 9 year. Aligned with House Lannister, this young Lagavulin is bottled at 46% ABV, aged exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels, and retailed for around $75. While some other GoT whiskies left me a bit disappointed, on specs alone, this has the credentials to be intriguing. Let’s dive in and find out.

Age: 9 Years

ABV: 46%

Cask: First Fill Ex-Bourbon

MSRP: $75

Distillery Name: Lagavulin Distillery

Review Date: 12/26/22

Nose: Medium bodied nose with a big puff of mineral smoke. Notes of burnt ends, fresh cut wood, lavender, and heather mixed with earthy soil. It’s a good nose and a great way to start off.  

Palate: Bright, lively, and vegetal but quickly moves to crispy peppered bacon, smoked vanilla pods, and an underlying sweet malt. Good mouthfeel with an almost waxy-like texture.

Finish: Medium to long finish with ash, roasted malt, and a salty umami character. At the very end, more fruit notes linger as the finish fades.

Score: 88

Would I buy again? This Lagavulin 9 year is a good, solid younger Islay malt that I could easily enjoy throughout an evening. Finding this for a closeout price of $35 in my local area was a great buy – and if you do come across it anywhere near that price you should pick it up, even if you aren’t into peated whisky. But even at its retail price of $75, this clearly stands out as one of the best in the Game of Thrones series (alongside the Mortlach) and would be a great intro to Islay for some. But don’t be fooled, it’s still a hearty whisky and can sometimes feel like you’re drinking an entire meal in a glass.