Lagavulin 12 Year (2018 Special Release)

This bottling isn't too different from the 2017 in terms of its notes. The quality is definitely there. If you read my review for the 2017, you'd know I hold that one in very high regard. It's my immediate response when asked about my favorite whisky. I had high hopes for this one, and, spoiler alert, it absolutely meets them. Nose: Medicinal peat, iodine, campfire smoke, sea salt, and brine are immediately present, typical of Lagavulin. Beyond that is a creamy lemon note (think lemon custard pie). Interestingly, there are floral notes, as well as sweeter ones like vanilla and honey. There's also some orange, and other fruits I couldn't quite identify. With a little research, I've learned it's a mix of raspberry and peach. Like a blue raspberry lollipop. Cask strength? Not a hint of alcohol. Instead, you get layer upon layer of deliciousness. Wow. Palate: Bonfire smoke and bean chili spice explode upon entry. Beyond that is a citrus punch: think lemon and grapefruit. Sea salt and brine are still present. Smoked BBQ meats, ash, and char. Salted caramel and milk chocolate. Rounded off with heavy cinnamon and black pepper spice. Oaky. The ABV makes itself known here, but I welcome it. Wave after wave of rich, intense flavor. Amazing. Finish: Salty smoked salmon-like, similar to the 2017, but slightly less pronounced. Transitions to more citrus: lemon, orange, grapefruit. Then we move to the sweet part: more milk chocolate and caramel. A late surge of cinnamon and pepper spice revitalizes the finish until it finally fades. When this long finish is over, I feel like I'm driving home from a much-needed day at the beach. Refreshed and relaxed, but also desperately needing some water to combat the salt! 5-star rating. I don't think I need to justify that. I dislike giving out too many of those, but it was truly inevitable with this one. What makes this interesting is how it compares to the 2017 release. The truth is, I need to buy another bottle of each and compare them directly. Before tonight, I would have easily chosen the 2017, but as time has gone on, this one has really opened up. Lagavulin fans, peat enthusiasts, and cask-strength lovers, celebrate. This is an automatic purchase if you can handle a significant amount of smoke and ABV. I can't wait to try the 2019; I'm also interested in a 2016 release I saw at a local store a month ago. Lucky me. This is worth every penny of $130. Buy with confidence.

It's been some time since I've had the chance to write a review and I chose a robust, high-proof whiskey to get back into the habit. Tonight, I'm sampling a yearly cask strength release from the southern coast of Islay. Let's get started. Nose: Initially, there's peat alongside a scent reminiscent of a swamp or tidal inlet, which I'll describe as brackish funk. This is followed by subtler aromas of vanilla and tropical fruits like pineapple. Palate: The palate offers a contrast to the nose, beginning with fruit and vanilla. Then, a distinct salty flavor emerges. Just before swallowing, smoke and peat appear. The high proof allows the flavors to present themselves fully, though I wouldn't characterize them as exceptionally intense. Finish: The finish starts with spice and peat before mellowing into vanilla. The high alcohol content sustains the finish for a considerable duration. This is a well-rounded, quality drink. It delivers the expected peat, but the richness of the fruity notes contributes to its balance. The bottle is nearly half empty now, but upon reviewing my initial impressions from the first pour, I found them remarkably similar. This suggests that oxidation has minimal impact on the whisky's flavor. I also added water as I progressed, which enhanced the fruity notes. It's sufficiently balanced without water, so I didn't find it essential. The quality is undeniable, and despite the cost, I'm pleased I purchased it, though I don't think I enjoyed it enough to seek another bottle. Cheers!

Lagavulin continues to impress. I own the Lagavulin 16, 8, and Distillers Edition, and this is the latest addition to my collection. I can confidently say this is likely the finest expression I've had from Lagavulin. The aroma offers everything expected from Lagavulin, from dark citrus notes to a light, fresh smoke. The way these elements interact is remarkable. On the palate, an oily texture provides a kick, yet it's generally smooth. Flavors include orange peel, brine, seaweed, and a playful smokiness. The finish is lengthy and appealing. While quite pricey compared to other Lagavulin offerings, it's worth the expense for such an experience.

The nose is dominated by barbecue lamb chops and seaweed, with the sharp smoke from the embers stinging the nostrils. A touch of balsamic and scorched pine flakes, along with orange peel. It's penetrating without any alcoholic burn. On the palate, the significant alcohol content drives the spiciness without overpowering, enhancing the more oceanic and briny character of the whisky with the smoke, which, while present, recedes before the rising tide. The waves introduce sweeter notes, emerging with effort, bringing orange, licorice, green apple, and cardamom. A long finish, featuring spices, ash, baked sardines, and candied orange. It's similar yet distinct from the following year's release, perhaps less balanced between peat and sweetness, but still captivating and engaging.

Nose - sweet with hints of Lagavulin's classic malt, but a bit of astringent oak and alcohol combining. A bit of vegetable notes but then turning smokey and sweet. Taste - the 2018 is best noted with a rich amount of complexity. A mix of oak, spice, some youth, and the Lagavulin malt. If you prefer more classic Lagavulin 12, add some water and it brings the peat and smoke and sophisticated sweet Lagavulin malt forward. The 2018 certainly uses some tired casks but has some nice still vanilla rich casks. Youth and some less than optimal casks leaves this one a bit short, but the high abv and quality mouth feel drive this one to a 2.75 for me. Quality quality dram for those of you looking for quality on a reasonable budget and who are ok with spirit forward whisky.

I haven't encountered a bottle of the 12-year-old in person, but I intend to start searching once Diageo releases the 2019 bottles, as recently announced. In the meantime, I had the chance to taste the 2018 version at the excellent Flatiron Room in Manhattan. I enjoy both the 16 and 8-year-old expressions, so I was curious to see how the 12-year-old compared. After tasting it, I'd say it's similarly related to both. Like the 8-year-old, it has a bit of a rough edge, with a strong yet controlled ethanol presence (due to the youth of the 8-year-old and the higher proof of the 12-year-old). It also shares some of the lighter characteristics of the 8-year-old. However, it also has a richness and fullness comparable to the 16-year-old. Overall, a very pleasant dram, and one that I believe fans of either the 8 or 16-year-old will find enjoyable.