Lagavulin 16 Year Old Scotch Whisky

Lagavulin 16 Year Old Scotch Whisky is a 750mL Islay single malt bottled at 43% ABV, aged in oak casks for at least sixteen years on Islay's southern shore. It is Diageo's benchmark Islay dram — massive peat smoke, iodine and seaweed depth, and a dry, elegant finish that has made it the reference point for peated whisky worldwide. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.

• ABV: 43%
• Size: 750mL
• Age: At least 16 years in oak casks (minimum age, per Scotch law)
• Style: Peated Islay single malt Scotch whisky
• Distillery: Lagavulin Distillery, near Port Ellen, Isle of Islay — founded 1816
• Origin: Islay, Scotland

The Benchmark of Southern Islay

Lagavulin has distilled above its sheltered bay near Port Ellen since John Johnston founded the distillery in 1816, and the 16 Year Old is the expression the whisky world measures peat against. Sixteen years in oak gives the smoke its unusual integration — intense but never raw, with the distillery's rich sweetness carried underneath. Its official honours include Gold at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 97 points at the 2018 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Explore the distillery on the Lagavulin vendor page, or browse our Scotch whisky collection.

Tasting Notes

Per Diageo's published notes: intense peat smoke with iodine and seaweed and a rich, deep sweetness on the nose; a full, rich body; dry peat smoke on the palate with gentle strong sweetness, sea and salt and touches of wood; a long, elegant, peat-filled finish with salt and seaweed.

How to Enjoy

Neat, or with a little still water from a traditional whisky glass — Diageo's own serving suggestion, and the few drops noticeably open the sweetness under the smoke. More peated malts are in our Scotch whisky collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How peaty is Lagavulin 16?
It is one of the most heavily peated mainstream single malts — intense peat smoke balanced by the sweetness that sixteen years in oak develops. If you are new to peat, expect a bold first glass.

Is the 16 Year Old exactly 16 years old?
No — under Scotch law the statement is a minimum: every whisky in the bottle is at least sixteen years old.

How is it different from the Lagavulin Distillers Edition?
The Distillers Edition takes this same 16-year-old malt and finishes it in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for a sweeter, raisin-rich profile. The standard 16 Year Old has no such finish.

Sixteen years of Islay smoke, in the bottle that defines it — order Lagavulin 16 Year Old online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.