Life cereal, Toni Braxton and Butter Pecan ice cream: Lagavulin 16 is more than just Ron Swanson's favorite Scotch

Although Ron Swanson was definitely on to something.

“Nectar of the Gods.” — Ron Swanson on Lagavulin 16

“All my life I’ve avoided Europe, and it’s multitudes of terribleness, but it turns out, much to my surprise, there is actually one place in Europe that is worth seeing. These tiny islands off the coast of Scotland, where God’s chosen elixirs are distilled, barrelled, and prepared for consumption. This is worth the trip.” — Ron Swanson, Parks and Recreation

It took me a long time to figure out Scotch. It’s usually more expensive than the common bourbons and whiskeys found at your local bottle shops. The brands are vast and varied, with names that have an absurd amount of consonants in them. Blended Scotch vs. Single Malt. The various regions in which Scotch is made: Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. Did I mention that it’s more expensive?

And then I started to find my groove a bit.

First, it was the blends…Johnnie Walker, Glenlivet and Bowmore. Then it was the single malts…Caol Ila 12, Ardbeg 10 and Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10. A couple of things I realized:

1. Mezcal is amazing, and for me, the more smoke the better. Similarly, Scotch (particularly from the Islay region) is amazing, and for me, the more peat the better.

2. Getting promotions and having a bit more money in my pocket makes it a bit easier to try said Scotches.

3. I’m thankful for friends like Doc who helped me get my feet wet in Scotch because getting information from bartenders and bottle shops was not the easiest in 2010.

Finding my taste preferences, a few more coins in my pocket and having an advocate for navigating the Scotch aisle. I was in good business.

Then I stumbled into Lagavulin 16.

The thing about Lagavulin is that there’s nothing really to critique. Remember what I said about mezcal being smoky vs. scotch being peaty? This Lagavulin will make you think you’re getting nothing but smoke. But it’s delicious smoke.

It’s spicy and sweet. It’s like butter pecan ice cream, toasted brioche bread and nutmeg all in one. It’s not overpowering on the nose, you can actually pick the notes up.

It feels substantive when you sip it. It’s not flimsy. It’s got body but it’s not heavy. It’s sweet but not candylike. The finish is long and rich. Tastes like baked dates, oak and Life cereal.

When describing it, I feel like I’m talking about Toni Braxton’s singing voice instead of reviewing a single malt Scotch.

Or, as Ron Swanson calls it:

“Nectar of the Gods.” — Ron Swanson

---

There are three ways in which I’ve found the best in enjoying Lagavulin:

1. A nice pour in a snifter glass. Spending the money on a Glencairn glass is perfect for an aromatic experience like Lagavulin.

2. In a chilled glass, or with two drops of water. I’m a big believer in experimenting with the chemistry of the pour. Chilling the glass or adding a few drops of water can open up the whiskey and help unlock the aroma and taste. For Lagavulin 16, 1-2 drops of filtered or spring water is great.

3. In a cocktail. This stuff ain’t cheap, but I swapped out bourbon for Lagavulin in a Gold Rush recently and I loved it. Making one with an old fashioned is also a fun twist. Same with a whiskey sour.

Yes, it’s retailing for $100 right now. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Don’t feel like dropping a hundo on a bottle? I get it. Here are three alternatives:

1. Caol Ila 12, $90. Only saving $10 here, and it’s a bit less peaty than Lagavulin 16. But it’s damn good and if you’re not as in love with the peat as me, this works really well.

2. Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10, $75. 25% less than Ron Swanson’s favorite spirit, but there’s no sacrifice in peat in this bad boy. (Just look at the “Heavily Peated” text on the bottle.) I always felt like Port Charlotte is less spice and more floral and citrus notes. Still delicious.

3. Ardbeg 10 Year, $60. Ardbeg has some solid juice, but it’s not Lagavulin. It’s its own thing in a good way. I always pick up black coffee with the peat here. Always liked shooting this as well.

All of this talk about Lagavulin 16 made me miss Parks and Recreation. Might be time to binge-watch it when the baby goes to bed while pouring two fingers of the ‘16.