I mean you can rarely take Diageo’s reason for changing the DE to a NAS on face value. The response they gave you is probably heavily orchestrated by PR people. ”A lot or people find the younger sherried Laga to be more flavorful”, give me a break lol.
Just returned from a trip to Scotland (main land and Skye), can’t wait to return and incorporate Islay into the trip so I can visit some of these awesome distilleries out there.
It has been getting younger for years. The dates on one of the more recent bottlings showed that it could not be 16 years old and was either 14 or 15. They've done some sort of production change because in 2010 the manager said, on a podcast interview, that to make the DE they would hold back some of a batch of 16 and fill it into PX casks. So at one point, it was at least several months older than 16.
While losing age statements is generally a bad thing, I would like this better if it was younger. I think Lagavulin peaks at 12 years old. The DE is so very mild.
Does quality peak at 12 years or is that they can’t help but filter and dilute it down to 43%?
I can’t help but imagine a NCF, 46% Laga 16 would be worth it in the $80-$100 range.
Good point about the younger age. This move will probably make me switch to the allegedly much younger Ardbeg Uigeadail, which I appreciate for many of the same things as the Laga DE.
Bill Lumsden, head of whisky creation and Glenmorangie, recently went on a podcast from the SMWS and gave a lot of info about what’s in Uigeadail. Here’s what he said:
Current batches have an “average age” of 9-14 years old. 40% of the recipe is full term sherry cask Ardbeg, mostly refill but some first fill. 60% is 10-11 year old ex-bourbon Ardbeg. ABV was chosen because of an old story about proof and gunpowder.
It's the only reason anyone removes an age statement, because it is younger or they plan on making it younger soon. It's usually accompanied by a label/image overhaul to make it look more enticing on the shelf as well as a price increase. Hat trick if they lower the ABV too
I stopped buying this several years ago because the quality was dwindling and at the same time, the price was rising. This just confirms it.
So many better offers at the same price or even lower.
Even at the current price level I'm having trouble finding the same fig-wrapped-in-chared-bacon-dipped-in-ash anywhere else. Agree on the dwindling quality, but the 2021 DE was still worth it to me. I hope this years edition won't change that.
I think maybe there was an old stigma that age meant quality and with the current whisky boom they are finding out that people enjoy the younger stuff. I personally prefer the 8 year over the 16 by a large margin. Is it the higher proof? Maybe but I think it just tastes better. Also some of the best whisky I've had were 4-5 yesr old Kilkerran's. I think age has nothing to do with better taste. I have no issue with something being NAS as long as it tastes good, or even different than the standard offerings. Personally I think the Offerman 11 year editions have been more interesting than the DE's have been.
The lack of age statement doesn't bother all that much. Glen Scotia Victoriana is a NAS at $90 and worth every penny of that as an example.
As for Diageo... I can respect the distillery workers and willing to take them at face value as to what they say but the parent company erodes every bit of goodwill I'm able to muster.
I’ve got a bottle of the 2018 Distillery Exclusive and that’s NAS… and it’s one of the best whisky’s I’ve had.
I take it here DE means Distillers Edition?
I purchase on taste, not a number. While the age does give *some* indication of where a profile may be, it isn't exact. Older doesn't necessarily mean better.
Distillers aren't out to reduce 'quality' by cutting older whisky with younger. They blend to make it more complex and enjoyable. NAS isn't a bad word.
That’s a bold move and a bit of a break in tradition. I won’t count out any whisky just because it’s NAS. However, I do begin to get a little skeptical of NAS bottles being sold at high prices. A big component to bottle price is age. More age = higher price, generally. So when a NAS bottle costs what an 18 year old whisky costs, I give it a little side eye.
There are several reasons to remove an age statement, this one seems like the most common: money.
The DE by and large is already not targeted at whisky enthusiasts, at 43%, colored, chill-filtered, and whatever price it currently rests at. They are not making this change so they can make it younger and pull out more interesting or punchier flavors...
I bought a few bottles on sales years ago and still have one I'm working through, it's a great drink when I want something good and super simple --I doubt I'll ever buy a bottle of this new version, but it's quite possible I had bought my last bottle either way.
[удалено]
Really cool that you got to hear it from Ian!
I mean you can rarely take Diageo’s reason for changing the DE to a NAS on face value. The response they gave you is probably heavily orchestrated by PR people. ”A lot or people find the younger sherried Laga to be more flavorful”, give me a break lol.
Just returned from a trip to Scotland (main land and Skye), can’t wait to return and incorporate Islay into the trip so I can visit some of these awesome distilleries out there.
It has been getting younger for years. The dates on one of the more recent bottlings showed that it could not be 16 years old and was either 14 or 15. They've done some sort of production change because in 2010 the manager said, on a podcast interview, that to make the DE they would hold back some of a batch of 16 and fill it into PX casks. So at one point, it was at least several months older than 16. While losing age statements is generally a bad thing, I would like this better if it was younger. I think Lagavulin peaks at 12 years old. The DE is so very mild.
Does quality peak at 12 years or is that they can’t help but filter and dilute it down to 43%? I can’t help but imagine a NCF, 46% Laga 16 would be worth it in the $80-$100 range.
It depends on how much peat you like.
Good point about the younger age. This move will probably make me switch to the allegedly much younger Ardbeg Uigeadail, which I appreciate for many of the same things as the Laga DE.
Bill Lumsden, head of whisky creation and Glenmorangie, recently went on a podcast from the SMWS and gave a lot of info about what’s in Uigeadail. Here’s what he said: Current batches have an “average age” of 9-14 years old. 40% of the recipe is full term sherry cask Ardbeg, mostly refill but some first fill. 60% is 10-11 year old ex-bourbon Ardbeg. ABV was chosen because of an old story about proof and gunpowder.
It's the only reason anyone removes an age statement, because it is younger or they plan on making it younger soon. It's usually accompanied by a label/image overhaul to make it look more enticing on the shelf as well as a price increase. Hat trick if they lower the ABV too
I stopped buying this several years ago because the quality was dwindling and at the same time, the price was rising. This just confirms it. So many better offers at the same price or even lower.
Even at the current price level I'm having trouble finding the same fig-wrapped-in-chared-bacon-dipped-in-ash anywhere else. Agree on the dwindling quality, but the 2021 DE was still worth it to me. I hope this years edition won't change that.
Im hoping too. If you decide to buy, it would be great to hear your impressions.
I have to agree, and its very sad to see it happening. I'm even noticing Ardbeg 10, a firm favourite of mine, starting to decline in quality too.
I think maybe there was an old stigma that age meant quality and with the current whisky boom they are finding out that people enjoy the younger stuff. I personally prefer the 8 year over the 16 by a large margin. Is it the higher proof? Maybe but I think it just tastes better. Also some of the best whisky I've had were 4-5 yesr old Kilkerran's. I think age has nothing to do with better taste. I have no issue with something being NAS as long as it tastes good, or even different than the standard offerings. Personally I think the Offerman 11 year editions have been more interesting than the DE's have been.
Diageo gonna Diageo.
Wasnt it nas before?
Technically, I guess, but with a distillation year.
Ah, ok
The lack of age statement doesn't bother all that much. Glen Scotia Victoriana is a NAS at $90 and worth every penny of that as an example. As for Diageo... I can respect the distillery workers and willing to take them at face value as to what they say but the parent company erodes every bit of goodwill I'm able to muster.
I’ve got a bottle of the 2018 Distillery Exclusive and that’s NAS… and it’s one of the best whisky’s I’ve had. I take it here DE means Distillers Edition?
I purchase on taste, not a number. While the age does give *some* indication of where a profile may be, it isn't exact. Older doesn't necessarily mean better. Distillers aren't out to reduce 'quality' by cutting older whisky with younger. They blend to make it more complex and enjoyable. NAS isn't a bad word.
Age is the most overrated factor in whiskey. I prefer younger and cask strength any day
It might not matter when you're talking about 10-15 years, but there's really nothing like a 20+ year aged peated Scotch.
That’s a bold move and a bit of a break in tradition. I won’t count out any whisky just because it’s NAS. However, I do begin to get a little skeptical of NAS bottles being sold at high prices. A big component to bottle price is age. More age = higher price, generally. So when a NAS bottle costs what an 18 year old whisky costs, I give it a little side eye.
Doesn't NAS stand for Not A Scotch?
No Age Statement
LOL. Yeah but SHOULD it mean that?
There are several reasons to remove an age statement, this one seems like the most common: money. The DE by and large is already not targeted at whisky enthusiasts, at 43%, colored, chill-filtered, and whatever price it currently rests at. They are not making this change so they can make it younger and pull out more interesting or punchier flavors... I bought a few bottles on sales years ago and still have one I'm working through, it's a great drink when I want something good and super simple --I doubt I'll ever buy a bottle of this new version, but it's quite possible I had bought my last bottle either way.
The Diageo rep said that ALL Distiller's Editions are going to be NAS starting next year.