Nose: Immediately quite soft with clean, fresh notes, faint hints of milk chocolate and lemon and then developing fragrant tea-scented smoke alongside nose-drying, maritime aromas, with subtle cereal. A prickliness seen earlier now develops, while the trademark Lagavulin dryness emerges as fresh newsprint. Softly sooty. Softer, fuller and more rounded with water: it’s not hugely fruity but there’s just a trace of red berry preserve, perhaps, beneath the smokiness, which comes sharply into focus.
Palate: A soothing light texture, with a magnificently full-on Lagavulin taste that’s somehow even bigger than you expect; sweet, smoky and warming, with a growing, smoky pungency, then dry, with more smoke. Charred, with minty, dark chocolate. Beautifully balanced midpalate then salty, oven-charred baked potato skins and smoke. Water rounds things, the taste still mighty yet more succulent, sweeter, spicier and now tongue-tingling, mint-fresh and warming.
Finish: Lovely; clean, very long and smoky. Smoothly, subtle minted smoke surrounds chocolate tannins, leaving a late drying note to emerge in time. It’s warming, soft and still smoky with water, not as long or intense now, yet still leaving the palate dry as sweet smoke lingers on the breath.
Pre-Owned & New Stock Disclaimer
Seal and cork failure are two of the more common issues affecting older pre-owned bottles, but they can occur in new bottles as well. Cork is a naturally porous material and contains irregular air pockets that may compromise the integrity of the closure.
Over long periods of time corks can dry out and shrink, increasing the chances of cork failure and subsequent leakage. However, it is still strongly recommended to store bottles upright at all times, as keeping whisky bottles on their sides can damage the cork and increase the chances of leakage or failure.
When you open a bottle with a cork stopper - no matter how carefully - there is always a chance that the cork may break, particularly for older bottles. We recommend keeping a stock of spare corks in different sizes in case a replacement cork is needed.
We are unable to accept responsibility for the following circumstances affecting either new or pre-owned goods:
- Wear and tear, rust, stains, foxing or any other cosmetic damage to labels, boxes or other packaging where the customer has not requested extra images prior to purchase
- Deterioration to labels/packaging in transit
- Seal failure, cork failure and/or leakage in transit or at any subsequent time after delivery
If you have any questions about the condition of a specific product please don’t hesitate to contact us on info@whisky-online.com.
At Whisky-Online, we specialise in sourcing old and rare bottles of whisky from days gone by. We are constantly acquiring new stock of vintage bottles from various sources and private sales, offering you a unique selection.
Authenticity Guarantee: All pre-owned bottles on our site are carefully vetted for authenticity by Wayne or Harrison Ormerod before being listed. If we have any doubts about a bottle's provenance, we simply don't list it. You can buy with confidence knowing we've done our due diligence. If for any reason you have concerns, please contact us with a detailed report explaining your findings and we'll happily assist.
Condition of Pre-Owned Bottles: Please remember that pre-owned bottles are not in brand-new, mint condition. They may have been subject to natural wear and tear over the years. We strongly advise you to carefully review the website images to assess the condition of individual bottles before purchasing.
"Sold As Seen" Policy: All stock assigned as pre-owned is sold as seen. Our website images are fair but not comprehensive. Some flaws may not be visible in these images. If you have specific questions or requirements regarding a particular item, please contact us for more images or further information before ordering.
Shipping & Handling Disclaimer: Due to the varying ages and conditions of bottles, labels, corks, and seals, we cannot guarantee safe transport without further damage or deterioration. We strongly recommend in-person collection of these items. If collection isn't possible and you choose to have pre-owned items delivered, we cannot accept responsibility for any deterioration during transit.
Leakage Risk: Be aware that due to the varying conditions of pre-owned bottles, there is a risk of seal/cork failure during transit. We cannot accept responsibility for any bottle leakage that occurs. For information regarding cork failure please visit our dedicated blog.
We are not responsible for the following:
- Wear and tear, rust, stains, foxing, or any cosmetic damage to labels, boxes, or other packaging where the customer has not requested extra images prior to purchase.
- Deterioration to labels/packaging in transit.
- Seal failure, cork failure, and/or leakage in transit or at any subsequent time after delivery.
If you have any questions about the condition of a specific product please don’t hesitate to contact us on info@whisky-online.com.
For information regarding cork failure please visit our dedicated blog.
New Stock Disclaimer
At Whisky-Online, we pride ourselves on being your go-to source for the latest and greatest whiskies and spirits. We're constantly working to bring you the most exciting new releases from around the world. To ensure transparency and provide the best possible shopping experience, we want to share some insights into how we source our stock and what you can expect when purchasing from us.
Direct from the Source:
We deal directly with most major suppliers, ensuring a continuous stream of fresh releases. This means that all stock designated as "not pre-owned" on our site has been purchased directly from the source. This allows us to offer you the newest expressions hitting the market.
Understanding "Not Pre-Owned" Isn't Always Perfect:
While we guarantee that "not pre-owned" stock hasn't been previously owned, it's important to understand that this doesn't automatically guarantee pristine condition of the label or box. From time to time, we receive shipments directly from suppliers where the boxes may exhibit slight wear or the labels may have minor abrasions.
Why does this happen? In some cases, it's due to handling during production or transportation. Often, these slightly imperfect bottles are limited in availability, making replacements impossible. We believe in offering these bottles to our customers, allowing them to enjoy the spirit within, even if the packaging isn't flawless. We appreciate your understanding and acceptance of this reality.
Using Generic Images for New Releases:
To streamline the shopping experience and manage our inventory efficiently, we generally use a single, generic image to represent the product you will receive for new releases. Given that we often stock multiple units, a generic image accurately reflects the general appearance of the product. We do our best to update these images when packaging changes occur over time, so you can stay informed of the latest design. And a crucial tip: if the product image doesn't show a box, then no box is included with the bottle. Please keep this in mind when making your selection.
Important Considerations Regarding Condition:
We take great care in packaging and shipping your orders. However, it's essential to understand that we cannot accept responsibility for certain conditions affecting both new and pre-owned goods, including:
- Cosmetic Wear and Tear: This includes wear and tear, rust, stains, foxing, or other cosmetic damage to labels, boxes, or packaging.
- Transit Damage to Packaging: Deterioration to labels and packaging during transit is unfortunately beyond our control.
- Seal and Cork Integrity: We cannot be held responsible for seal failure, cork failure, or leakage that may occur during transit or at any point after delivery.
- Opened Bottles: Obviously, we cannot accept returns for bottles that have been opened.
Our goal is to provide you with access to the best selection of new release whiskies and spirits. By understanding our sourcing process and the realities of handling and shipping, you can make informed purchasing decisions and enjoy your chosen dram to the fullest. We appreciate your business and are committed to providing excellent service.
If you have any questions about the condition of a specific product please don’t hesitate to contact us on info@whisky-online.com.
For information regarding cork failure please visit our dedicated blog.
