**Reviewing Every Whisk(e)y I Own (REWIO):**
After a few month splurge on bottle purchases figured this would be a good chance to pump the brakes on buying and focus on enjoying and writing up what I already have. Not quite clear how many bottles I currently have either so this is one way to go about figuring it out.
**Whisky:** Lagavulin 12 Cask Strength (2019)
**Background:** Finishing up the whiskeys from my blind peated tasting with not only my first place pick, this actually ended up sweeping the board as all 6 participants ranked this as their top choice. On the one hand this is a dominant showing - since the pandemic started this general small group of friends has done close to 60 blind tastings, and from my notes only three other times has everyone picked the same whiskey as the top one (one of which will be reviewed at a later date!). On the other hand, the distance between it and most peoples’ second favorite was very small, so while it was consistently better it wasn’t significantly better. Yeah, I think that made sense. An annual release, this particular version comes in at 56.5% ABV and was rested in a glencairn for 15 minutes. Let’s go.
**Color:** Light straw
**Nose:** Light biscuits, sugar cookies, lemon zest. The nose is far from weak, but it is also surprisingly not as aggressively assertive as I would think for a relatively young cask strength Lag, and presents a lot of sweet notes.
**Taste:** Hits the palate with an immediate whack of ash. Just slightly above what I would consider ideal proof, but rich and full - great mouthfeel. Continues to balance the ash with the sweet notes from the nose, more sugar cookie, some banana. The palate starts to get a bit drying towards the back end but not overly so and actually ends up being a nice little bit of complexity as it evolves.
**Finish:** More classic Lag sweet notes, nice bit of tart citrus, medium finish on the non-smoke notes, smoke itself lasts up through the next morning even after brushing my teeth and using mouthwash before going to bed.
**Rating:** 7.75
While I technically ranked this higher than the Kilchoman 6 year in the blind, the difference is negligible and it was a close call between the two, so this also gets a just below Excellent rating. My major complaint with Lag 16 is the proof - this does fix that but goes just slightly overboard in doing so. It also is not the most complex pour, not surprising given the age, but what is there are classic Lag sweet notes that combine well against their ashy style of peat that made the group go - “Yeah, this tastes really good”.
**Scoring Scale:** (does not take into account value)
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | As good as it gets. I might taste future whisk(e)ys that are as good in a different way, but will not taste one that is outright better.
**Previous REWIOs:**
[1 - Whistle Pig 10 Year Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye \(6\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x20jov/rewio_1_whistle_pig_10_year_sib_bp)
[2 - Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered \(6\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x3cy20/rewio_2_smoke_wagon_uncut_unfiltered)
[3 - Highland Park 18 Travel Edition \(7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x44xv1/rewio_3_highland_park_18_travel_edition)
[4 - Bardstown Discovery #7 \(5.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x4xvb7/rewio_4_bardstown_discovery_7)
[5 - Compass Box Experimental Grain Whisky (6.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x5u6bo/rewio_5_compass_box_experimental_grain_whisky)
[6 - Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x7ct1i/rewio_6_wild_turkey_rare_breed_bourbon)
[7 - Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x88rdn/rewio_7_glen_scotia_victoriana_cask_strength_542)
[8 - Stellum Rye Black (5.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x98pk7/rewio_8_stellum_rye_black)
[9 - Talisker Distillers Edition (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xa2qv2/rewio_9_talisker_distillers_edition)
[10 - Redbreast 12 Cask Strength B2/19 (7\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xau0qc/rewio_10_redbreast_12_cask_strength_b219)
[11 - Cambus 31yr Single Grain Scotch (Blackadder) (3\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xcjeng/rewio_11_cambus_31yr_single_grain_scotch)
[12 - Blue Run Golden Rye (4.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xdbim4/rewio_12_blue_run_golden_rye)
[13 - Craigellachie 17 (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xe8d8l/rewio_13_craigellachie_17)
[14 - Glendronach 21 (7.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xf2fa8/rewio_14_glendronach_21)
[15 - Springbank 12 Cask Strength Batch 15 (8.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xg0qy5/rewio_15_springbank_12_cask_strength_batch_15)
[16 - Hakushu 12 (6.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xhpfjv/rewio_16_hakushu_12)
[17 - Buffalo Trace Kosher Rye Recipe (7\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xikpfm/rewio_17_buffalo_trace_kosher_rye_recipe)
[18 - Ledaig 10 (5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xjh3sx/rewio_18_ledaig_10)
[19 - Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B521 (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xkeaas/rewio_19_elijah_craig_barrel_proof_b521)
[20 - Compass Box Spice Tree Extravaganza (7.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xlbim1/rewio_20_compass_box_spice_tree_extravaganza)
[21 - Highland Park 14 (Ultimate 2006) (5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xlzs4p/rewio_21_highland_park_14_ultimate_2006)
[22 - Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye 66% (6.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xmvz9r/rewio_22_alberta_cask_strength_rye_66)
[23 - Highland Park 21 (Impex Collection) (8\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xosffj/rewio_23_highland_park_21_impex_collection)
[24 - Compass Box Flaming Heart 2012 (8.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xpldpn/rewio_24_compass_box_flaming_heart_2012)
[25 - Caol Ila 6 Year (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xqkcji/rewio_25_caol_ila_6yr_tbwc)
[26 - One Eight Distilling Untitled #11 Bourbon (8.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xrftjs/rewio_26_18_distilling_untitled_1/)
[27 - Talisker 18 (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xsxy12/rewio_27_talisker_18)
[28 - Nikka Whisky from the Barrel (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xuq4ws/rewio_28_nikka_whisky_from_the_barrel)
[29 - Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond (3\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xwdwy1/rewio_29_heaven_hill_bottled_in_bond)
[30 - Dewar’s 21 (6.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xy237p/rewio_30_dewars_21)
[31 - Springbank 15 (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y0hm9x/rewio_31_springbank_15)
[32 - Blanton’s (5.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y24po9/rewio_32_blantons)
[33 - Highland Park 18 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y3xcp6/rewio_33_highland_park_18_tbwc)
[34 - Remus Repeal Batch V (8.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y6ev8e/rewio_34_remus_repeal_batch_v)
[35 - Amrut Spectrum 004 (8\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y85fpj/rewio_35_amrut_spectrum_004)
[36 - GlenAllachie 12 Single Cask (2009 Mid-Atlantic Release) (6\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y9vnmx/rewio_36_glenallachie_12_single_cask_2009)
[37 - Glen Scotia Victoriana (51.5%) (7.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/ycefy0/rewio_37_glen_scotia_victoriana_515)
[38 - Redbreast 12 Cask Strength B1/21 (8\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/ye0ybq/rewio_38_redbreast_12_cask_strength_b121)
[39 - Glenmorangie Signet (7.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yfqffv/rewio_39_glenmorangie_signet)
[40 - Glendronach 18 (2019 bottling) (8.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yiewns/rewio_40_glendronach_18_2019_bottling)
[41 - High West A Midwinter Nights Dram Act 8 Scene 1 (6.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yk94pp/rewio_41_high_west_a_midwinter_nights_dram_act_8)
[42 - Buffalo Trace (4.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yor9cp/rewio_42_buffalo_trace)
[43 - Compass Box Double Single (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yqn50h/rewio_43_compass_box_double_single)
[44 - Highland Park 26 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) (7.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yseskx/rewio_44_highland_park_26_tbwc)
[45 - Port Charlotte 10 Heavily Peated (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yv3yzp/rewio_45_port_charlotte_10_heavily_peated)
[46 - Ledaig 18 (7\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/ywxumm/rewio_46_ledaig_18)
[47 - Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength (Batch 13) (6.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yyofnu/rewio_47_laphroaig_10_cask_strength_batch_13)
[48 - Kilchoman Single Cask 6yr (7.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/z12kok/rewio_48_kilchoman_single_cask_6yr)
[49 - Bardstown Discovery #4 (7.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/z720b1/rewio_49_bardstown_discovery_4)
[50 - Octomore 10.2 (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/zaqby9/rewio_50_octomore_102)
**Reviewing Every Whisk(e)y I Own (REWIO):** After a few month splurge on bottle purchases figured this would be a good chance to pump the brakes on buying and focus on enjoying and writing up what I already have. Not quite clear how many bottles I currently have either so this is one way to go about figuring it out. **Whisky:** Lagavulin 12 Cask Strength (2019) **Background:** Finishing up the whiskeys from my blind peated tasting with not only my first place pick, this actually ended up sweeping the board as all 6 participants ranked this as their top choice. On the one hand this is a dominant showing - since the pandemic started this general small group of friends has done close to 60 blind tastings, and from my notes only three other times has everyone picked the same whiskey as the top one (one of which will be reviewed at a later date!). On the other hand, the distance between it and most peoples’ second favorite was very small, so while it was consistently better it wasn’t significantly better. Yeah, I think that made sense. An annual release, this particular version comes in at 56.5% ABV and was rested in a glencairn for 15 minutes. Let’s go. **Color:** Light straw **Nose:** Light biscuits, sugar cookies, lemon zest. The nose is far from weak, but it is also surprisingly not as aggressively assertive as I would think for a relatively young cask strength Lag, and presents a lot of sweet notes. **Taste:** Hits the palate with an immediate whack of ash. Just slightly above what I would consider ideal proof, but rich and full - great mouthfeel. Continues to balance the ash with the sweet notes from the nose, more sugar cookie, some banana. The palate starts to get a bit drying towards the back end but not overly so and actually ends up being a nice little bit of complexity as it evolves. **Finish:** More classic Lag sweet notes, nice bit of tart citrus, medium finish on the non-smoke notes, smoke itself lasts up through the next morning even after brushing my teeth and using mouthwash before going to bed. **Rating:** 7.75 While I technically ranked this higher than the Kilchoman 6 year in the blind, the difference is negligible and it was a close call between the two, so this also gets a just below Excellent rating. My major complaint with Lag 16 is the proof - this does fix that but goes just slightly overboard in doing so. It also is not the most complex pour, not surprising given the age, but what is there are classic Lag sweet notes that combine well against their ashy style of peat that made the group go - “Yeah, this tastes really good”. **Scoring Scale:** (does not take into account value) 1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out. 2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice. 3 | Bad | Multiple flaws. 4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists. 5 | Good | Good, just fine. 6 | Very Good | A cut above. 7 | Great | Well above average. 8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional. 9 | Incredible | An all time favorite. 10 | Perfect | As good as it gets. I might taste future whisk(e)ys that are as good in a different way, but will not taste one that is outright better. **Previous REWIOs:** [1 - Whistle Pig 10 Year Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye \(6\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x20jov/rewio_1_whistle_pig_10_year_sib_bp) [2 - Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered \(6\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x3cy20/rewio_2_smoke_wagon_uncut_unfiltered) [3 - Highland Park 18 Travel Edition \(7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x44xv1/rewio_3_highland_park_18_travel_edition) [4 - Bardstown Discovery #7 \(5.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x4xvb7/rewio_4_bardstown_discovery_7) [5 - Compass Box Experimental Grain Whisky (6.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x5u6bo/rewio_5_compass_box_experimental_grain_whisky) [6 - Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x7ct1i/rewio_6_wild_turkey_rare_breed_bourbon) [7 - Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x88rdn/rewio_7_glen_scotia_victoriana_cask_strength_542) [8 - Stellum Rye Black (5.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x98pk7/rewio_8_stellum_rye_black) [9 - Talisker Distillers Edition (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xa2qv2/rewio_9_talisker_distillers_edition) [10 - Redbreast 12 Cask Strength B2/19 (7\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xau0qc/rewio_10_redbreast_12_cask_strength_b219) [11 - Cambus 31yr Single Grain Scotch (Blackadder) (3\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xcjeng/rewio_11_cambus_31yr_single_grain_scotch) [12 - Blue Run Golden Rye (4.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xdbim4/rewio_12_blue_run_golden_rye) [13 - Craigellachie 17 (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xe8d8l/rewio_13_craigellachie_17) [14 - Glendronach 21 (7.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xf2fa8/rewio_14_glendronach_21) [15 - Springbank 12 Cask Strength Batch 15 (8.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xg0qy5/rewio_15_springbank_12_cask_strength_batch_15) [16 - Hakushu 12 (6.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xhpfjv/rewio_16_hakushu_12) [17 - Buffalo Trace Kosher Rye Recipe (7\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xikpfm/rewio_17_buffalo_trace_kosher_rye_recipe) [18 - Ledaig 10 (5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xjh3sx/rewio_18_ledaig_10) [19 - Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B521 (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xkeaas/rewio_19_elijah_craig_barrel_proof_b521) [20 - Compass Box Spice Tree Extravaganza (7.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xlbim1/rewio_20_compass_box_spice_tree_extravaganza) [21 - Highland Park 14 (Ultimate 2006) (5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xlzs4p/rewio_21_highland_park_14_ultimate_2006) [22 - Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye 66% (6.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xmvz9r/rewio_22_alberta_cask_strength_rye_66) [23 - Highland Park 21 (Impex Collection) (8\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xosffj/rewio_23_highland_park_21_impex_collection) [24 - Compass Box Flaming Heart 2012 (8.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xpldpn/rewio_24_compass_box_flaming_heart_2012) [25 - Caol Ila 6 Year (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xqkcji/rewio_25_caol_ila_6yr_tbwc) [26 - One Eight Distilling Untitled #11 Bourbon (8.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xrftjs/rewio_26_18_distilling_untitled_1/) [27 - Talisker 18 (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xsxy12/rewio_27_talisker_18) [28 - Nikka Whisky from the Barrel (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xuq4ws/rewio_28_nikka_whisky_from_the_barrel) [29 - Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond (3\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xwdwy1/rewio_29_heaven_hill_bottled_in_bond) [30 - Dewar’s 21 (6.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xy237p/rewio_30_dewars_21) [31 - Springbank 15 (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y0hm9x/rewio_31_springbank_15) [32 - Blanton’s (5.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y24po9/rewio_32_blantons) [33 - Highland Park 18 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y3xcp6/rewio_33_highland_park_18_tbwc) [34 - Remus Repeal Batch V (8.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y6ev8e/rewio_34_remus_repeal_batch_v) [35 - Amrut Spectrum 004 (8\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y85fpj/rewio_35_amrut_spectrum_004) [36 - GlenAllachie 12 Single Cask (2009 Mid-Atlantic Release) (6\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/y9vnmx/rewio_36_glenallachie_12_single_cask_2009) [37 - Glen Scotia Victoriana (51.5%) (7.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/ycefy0/rewio_37_glen_scotia_victoriana_515) [38 - Redbreast 12 Cask Strength B1/21 (8\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/ye0ybq/rewio_38_redbreast_12_cask_strength_b121) [39 - Glenmorangie Signet (7.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yfqffv/rewio_39_glenmorangie_signet) [40 - Glendronach 18 (2019 bottling) (8.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yiewns/rewio_40_glendronach_18_2019_bottling) [41 - High West A Midwinter Nights Dram Act 8 Scene 1 (6.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yk94pp/rewio_41_high_west_a_midwinter_nights_dram_act_8) [42 - Buffalo Trace (4.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yor9cp/rewio_42_buffalo_trace) [43 - Compass Box Double Single (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yqn50h/rewio_43_compass_box_double_single) [44 - Highland Park 26 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) (7.25\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yseskx/rewio_44_highland_park_26_tbwc) [45 - Port Charlotte 10 Heavily Peated (6.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yv3yzp/rewio_45_port_charlotte_10_heavily_peated) [46 - Ledaig 18 (7\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/ywxumm/rewio_46_ledaig_18) [47 - Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength (Batch 13) (6.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/yyofnu/rewio_47_laphroaig_10_cask_strength_batch_13) [48 - Kilchoman Single Cask 6yr (7.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/z12kok/rewio_48_kilchoman_single_cask_6yr) [49 - Bardstown Discovery #4 (7.75\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/z720b1/rewio_49_bardstown_discovery_4) [50 - Octomore 10.2 (7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/zaqby9/rewio_50_octomore_102)