Lagavulin 12 Year Old 57.7% - 2016 Release

A limited edition, natural cask strength single malt whisky. From the essential Islay distillery, Lagavulin, on Islay’s rocky south coast.

Fourteenth in a series of special 12 year old releases from the original distiller’s stocks.

From refill American Oak hogsheads, each at least 12 years old.

RRP is £80.00

Tasting notes..
Appearance: Very pale gold, grey-green lights. Slow legs.
Nose: At one level, direct and straightforward, with immediate, powerful, smouldering peat smoke backed by fresh, clean notes. In another, sweeter dimension, though, the aromas multiply, first as icing sugar balanced by a cleansing note, then as lemons and spearmint above syrup on a warm baguette, with notes of spirit and orange zest. Later, barbecued meats, maple syrup and traces of pine and eucalyptus all appear. Finally, there’s sugary candy-floss, and volcanic smoke. With a little water, it’s all more youthful and lively. Sweet and minty now, with tart, sweet fruit, then distant volcanic smoke and clean newsprint.
Palate:Surprisingly mild, smooth and sweet, with balancing salt. Intense and cool, with fruity chocolate at first, then warming and smoky, with grainy cereal, mint and volcanic smoke. Finely oily too, with smooth tannins. Reduced, the taste relaxes to become cool and oily then gains a huge, chewy smoky-honeyed sweetness, still balanced by salt and growing slightly charred and warming. It’s all aromatic, woody and faintly cleansing.
Finish: Very long and refined; first smoothly cooling, then warming, pungent and smoky with an appetising bitter edge. With water all this remains intact; long, sweet and pungent still, with zesty herbs, leaving the palate smoky.

From Lagavulin Distillery - Diageo - Islay.