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The yearly Diageo Special Release of Lagavulin 12 Year Old is always a treat, and 2019 does not disappoint. You've got the classic Islay smoke, you've got fruit, you've got a pinch of sea salt - and this year, you've got a bird of prey on the label! This isn't simply because birds of prey are cool (though they are), it's because the overarching theme of the Special Release 2019 series is 'Rare by Nature'.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
Everything you would expect from the annual Lagavulin 12 Year Old. Sweet peat smoke like a recently extinguished bonfire accompanied by memories of sparklers on 5th November. Salty sea breeze, shellfish and seaweed. Tangy fruity aroma, like Bramley Apples ready for a homemade apple pie. Add a little water and you get freshly cut wet grass and autumn leaves after a downpour.
Citrusy, spicy and smoky. Like taking a drag on your Grandad’s cigar. Intense ashes to start, smooth in texture with a warm finish. Being at natural strength allows the water to not diminish the character.
A nice warming sweet smoke with lemony tones. A dash of salt through the smoke.
Incredible! I have been a keen drinker of Islay whiskies for a long time but had not tried this before. What a mistake that was! I love this and hope they never stop its production. It has all the character noted in your tasting notes and at cask strength is the first time I have ever added a dash of water to a whisky. That seemed sacrilige to me but it works here nicely. Special release it most certainly is very special indeed but sadly the bottle does it no favours it needs to be sold in crystal decanters!
Nice and smoky, with some citrus on the first sip. Finishes a tad salty too! Its a great whiskey but a bit pricey. Stop complaining about the packaging. I understand you position that its different, but there is nothing wrong with trying anything new. Saying it is like a Tesco package is a bit dumb, no offence. Enjoy the whiskey and enjoy owning a unique bottle for your collection.
A good year, not a patch on the stunning 2011 & 2015 releases. Solid enough, but feel >£100 is too much for this. £90 is about right. Thank goodness for auctions!
Nose: Immediately I get a buttery vanilla toffee sensation, quite nice. You return to it. On the nose the smoky peat is mellow, really nice. Palate: Sweet tar, peat and smoke. A lot more smoke and peat than the nose suggested. I get the ash reference. With a bit of water the nose becomes like visiting a distillery with its peaty malt, quite lovely. And a fruity sweetness tries to battle the lovely peatsmoke. Nice, really nice.
Have to agree with the other comment, for such a classy brand, this packaging if pretty naff and does not say 'look at me, I'm a sophisticated Islay whisky'. I've no doubt it taste's wonderful, just looks cheap like something Tesco or Aldi would wrap around a mass produced blend. If it ain't broke Lagavulin, don't fix it.