Review #117: Game of Thrones “House Lannister” Lagavulin
I never really watched Game of Thrones so I was indifferent to the whisky collection. I figured it was probably overhyped Diageo marketing. That said, I did at least appreciate that Diageo put it out at over 40% ABV and with age statements. I saw some of our local liquor stores stocking case upon case, and gradually marking it down over time. When we saw a bottle at K&L for $26, making it probably the least expensive bottle of Lagavulin on the market, we decided it would be irresponsible NOT to buy it.
Lagavulin 9 Year Old "Game of Thrones House Lannister" Whisky Review
- Score - 4/104/10
Overall
Tasting Notes
Nose: Smoke, banana bread, pink, short lived bubble gum that you get at a ballpark. Palate: Honey, astringently oaky, smoke and waves of banana bread. Finish: This whisky has an awful finish. It’s short, bitter and highly astringent. You also get a fair amount of harsh phenolic smoke that lingers on the palate for a while. Notes: It’s a shame that this is probably how a lot of new drinkers will first get introduced to Lagavulin. The 16 is worlds better.
Quick overview of our scoring system
Additional Information
- ABV: 46%
- Lannisters were bad guys in GOT
About Lagavulin:
- We visited the distillery! Our recap of the distillery, where we did the tasting and nosing class, is here.
- Diageo originally thought in 1989 that the Lagavulin 16 Year Old would be only for the “most dedicated” drinker since it was too smokey for the common palate
- Has won the Best Distiller’s Single Malt of 2017 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation) is one of the most famous fans. He recently dressed as a statue slowly sipping Lagavulin 16 for 45 minutes.