Lagavulin 12 Year Old, Diageo Special Release 2019

This year’s eight limited-edition cask strength whiskies selected master blender Dr. Craig Wilson form a unique collection from some of Scotland's most renowned distilleries.

Unique in its own way – distinctive maturation casks, rare finishes, unexpected taste profiles – every expression brings to life each distillery’s character, through beautifully dramatised illustrations of the wildlife and flora surrounding the distilleries.

APPEARANCE: Bright gold, polished brass. Good beading.

NOSE: A mild nose overall, with light prickle. Classic Lagavulin. The nose is highly phenolic, with clean, fresh top notes of medical supplies; carbolic, dentists’ mouthwash and medicine cupboards, all on an ashy base, reminiscent of a recently extinguished peat fire. A savoury note and a mineral, maritime note; sea air, tarry ropes, seaweed, sand. With water, the last comes to dominate, quietly.

BODY: Medium.

PALATE: At natural strength, smooth in texture and unexpectedly sweet, intense and very smoky from the off, with light acidity, a sprinkle of sea-salt and a very smoky finish, long and warming. A little salt, no pepper. Benchmark distillery character throughout, exactly as is expected from a Lagavulin 12 year old. At reduced strength the taste remains the same.

FINISH: Long, warming, sweet and delightfully smoky. Lightly drying, leaving the breath smoky. With water, sweeter and smoother, though the smokiness reasserts itself at the close.