‘The prince of Islay’ is doubly represented in this year’s Special releases, and rightly so. Lagavulin probably is one of the most popular of all Diageo distilleries, and has been producing Exceptional whiskies for relatively reasonable prices in the last few decades, be it the 16 year old which is a staple, or the 12-year-olds which are ‘regular’s in the special releases.
The 12-year-old comes with great expectations based on excellent SR bottlings, and this year’s no exception. It is aged in refill casks letting the spirit shine. Good call.
Lagavulin 12 yo , Special Release 2021 , 56.5% , £128
Nose: Lovely and medicinal, with tarry ropes and some spend bandages, there’s a lot of minerality going on in here as well, lemon zest hovers above and a sweet/salty sensation with barley sweetness, smoke, and white pepper, with water hint of olive brine, is more pronounced, as well as tasted oak, and hints of sea-spray. we’re definitely on islay time.
Palate: That’s a Lagavulin alright, and It would take a genius to spot that even blindfolded. very much the Lagavuling style – lovely bonfires, quite a lot of sweet smoke, and more of the lemon, some pepper, and chili bite, but not too hot and fairly lovely to sip, more of the saline-y touch, and brine, olives, and sea salt, oysters and bitter toasted wood, and peat reek, soot and coal, TCP.
Finish: salty, smoky, tarry, sweet peated barley eaten from the floor malting, bitter smoky chocolate, and lemon. lovely.
Conclusion: This year’s 12 year old does not disappoint in any way. Excellent stuff, high-quality ‘laga’ for you. around 130 quid is not cheap though – for a 12 year old even at ‘cask strength’, but they will sell well. I wonder how it would match against the 26-year-old. more info soon.
Score:90/100
Available online for pre-order at MOM for £128 (out of stock on the TWE /Malts site)