Today is the big day! Game of Thrones fans are rejoicing everywhere. Last night we re-watched season 6 and enjoyed the House Lannister paring, Lagavulin 9-Year. If you followed my blog then you know that I am a big Lagavulin and Islay whisky fan. The big hope was that it would not disappoint. I can definitively tell you that it most certainly did not.

The Lannister’s are a powerful and calculating family dynasty in the big Game of Thrones. Their house banner is represented by a roaring Lion and they were paired with Lagavulin because of the distilleries rise to legendary status and the roaring smoke it leaves behind. Personally, I don’t think the reasons why these were paired were good enough reasons. It’s another pairing I question, but I am here for the whisky.

Tasting Notes

Nose: wood smoke, brine and sweetness

Palate: smoke, sweetness, caramel, vanilla and burnt marshmallow

Finish: dry, slight notes of menthol (cigar), smoke and caramel

Wow! This whisky is strong and packs a punch in smoke. A lot stronger than the Lagavulin 8-year, which I considered Lagavulin light. The year difference definitely did wonders to this whisky.

There is a great deal of complexity, you get hit with heavy smoke, which is nicely balanced by the sweet notes of vanilla, caramel and marshmallow. There was sweetness, smoke, but it was the finishing notes of cigar that were quite unexpected but very unique. It’s simply fantastic!

I love that this whisky, yes it is classic Lagavulin but it is also different than any of the other Lagavulin’s I tasted before. It has become my new favorite in the series and now I wish I would have gotten a few more bottles.

If you don’t like smoky whiskies then don’t bother, you aren’t going to like this one. But, if you are a fan, I highly recommend you look for it to try, you will not be disappointed.

Cheers!

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend for people to try it and make up their own minds.