Introducing Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Releases 2023 Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at natural cask strength - Thick wisps of aromatic herbal smoke honour the ancient art of tattooing, clouds that slowly disperse in whispers of stories. The sweet scent of ripe plums lingers, as smoky black ink etches an outline of illustrious past generations ascending to legendary heights. Each work of art is a map of historic victories, imprinted on a living canvas. Inspired by the spirit of intensity and pride that shines through a Lagavulin history more than 200 years long, our Malt Master explores the famed symbols of the ancient Mesoamerican art of tattoo, rich in story and significance. The whisky, finished in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks, pulses with herbal flavours ancient and modern, engraving an indelible story. Amid fierce glints of gold, fresh notes of sea air, citrus and ripened berries mingle with intense herbal smoke in an enchanted swirl of heady aromas, while the creamy-smooth and robust texture plays the perfect canvas to a rich palette of swirling flavours. Sweet with juicy plums and a hint of saltiness, then ever more herbal and smokier, the flavours deep-etch their impression for a lip-tingling whisky of legends. Serving Suggestion: The distinctively spicy, dry & clean taste makes an exceptional cocktail such as Julep or Old Fashioned.

UNIQUE FEATURES: Distillery-first expression. Lagavulin 12 Year Old features in SPIRITED XCHANGE, a limited edition Single Malt Whisky inspired by the exchange of global craft and culture for Special Releases 2023.
HOW IT’S MADE: Thick whispers of rich smoke, etched with bright herbs and juicy plums, for an indelible finish. Finished in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks.
TASTING NOTES: To a Lagavulin at its most vigorous, delicious to drink and full of distillery character, the tequila finishing casks have brought indelible layers of bright, herbal smoke and dark plum fruit.
SERVE: Best served neat, pour 50ml of Lagavulin 12 Year Old in a whisky glass and enjoy.
OCCASION: Lagavulin 12 Year Old is a unique gift that stands out within the Special Releases collection, and is perfect for get-togethers with friends or family.

TASTING NOTES

PALATE: To a Lagavulin at its most vigorous, delicious to drink and full of distillery character, the tequila finishing casks have brought indelible layers of bright, herbal smoke and dark plum fruit.

This is Lagavulin character made sweet under the command of active oak. Bold smoke quietened to a hush, matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon and refill casks for a lush and glazed aroma. Experience a 12-year-old expression with thick toffee, vanilla, and coconut notes, unfurling with aromatic spice. A testament to oak's dynamic influence on bold character: powerful peat tempers into inviting sweetness.

TASTING NOTES

From the Scottish Islands, send our most mature Single Malt, the Lagavulin 16 Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky for a special Father's Day or Christmas gift, or as a celebrate gift for Housewarming, Bachelor Party, Retirement or Business Deal or to just say Congratulations for any occasion.

Introducing the Lagavulin Offerman Edition 11 Year Rum Cask Finish Release 2024 Scotch Whisky, a distinct and limited offering that marries the renowned Lagavulin character with a unique twist. Aged for 11 years and finished in rum casks, this expression embodies the essence of craftsmanship and innovation. With its rich, smoky flavors complemented by the subtle sweetness from the rum casks, this release promises a truly memorable tasting experience. Crafted in collaboration with actor Nick Offerman, known for his affinity for Lagavulin, this release is a celebration of both tradition and creativity. Seize the opportunity to savor this exceptional whisky and indulge in its complexity and depth.

PRODUCT DETAILS

2006 Lagavulin double-matured in ex-bodega Pedro Ximenez cask wood for an intense, raisiny sweetness that marries beautifully with the smoky power of the regular release to create a massive, rich tasting power-house of a malt. Lagavulin Distillers Edition won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2008, 2009 and 2011. It also won International Wine and Spirit Competition Gold in 1999 (Trophy), 2003, 2006 (Best in Class), 2007 (Two Trophies & Best in Class), 2008 (Best in Class), 2009 (Trophy & Best in Class), 2010 and 2012. It took Gold at the International Spirit Competition in 2004 (Trophy) 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010. At Scotch Whisky Masters it won a Master in 2008 and 2010, and Gold in 2009, 2011 and 2013. And last but not least, it was judged Best Islay (Peated) Single Malt & Best Islay (Peated) Vintage Single Malt Scotch Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards in 2007 and Best Islay Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky no age statement there in 2008.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE: Satisfying and enticing; intense peat, vanilla. A raisiny sweetness checks the smoke. Crisp, roasty malt.

PALATE: Sweet and luscious; clear malt, smoke fills the mouth. Very salty tang; coffee, vanilla, a glimmer of fruit.

FINISH: Incredibly long, even for Islay. Fruit, peat, and long-lasting oak. Very engaging and enjoyable.

After the wonderful reception that the Lagavulin 8 Year Old 200th Anniversary Edition received when it was released in 2016, the Islay-based distillers decided to add this delicious expression to their permanent core range! As Alfred Barnard said of an 8 year old Lagavulin in the 1880s, this stuff is "exceptionally fine".

Detailed Description

A welcome addition to the Lagavulin Core Line and proof that (sometimes) age is not that important when it comes to whisky. Most tasters rank this just as high as the 16 year old and Distillers Edition releases. If anything it is more assertive and more smoky but it remains well balanced and creamy.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Tropical fruits, vanilla with a classic Islay peat burst.

Palate: Spices, barley, nuts with strong caramel sensation throughout.

Finish: The soft peat and characterful woodsmoke lingers for a long time.

Distillery Information

Lagavulin distillery is an Islay single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Lagavulin on the island of Islay, Scotland.Lagavulin is one of the three Kildalton Distilleries in the south of Islay and sits comfortably in between Ardbeg and Laphroaig at the "Hollow by the Mill", translated from the Gaelic lag a'mhuilin.

There is a saying that “Good Things Come in Threes”. “The rule of three” (or if Latin is preferred “omne trium perfectum” suggests things that come in threes are inherently more humorous, satisfying and effective than any other number of things. There is no better illustration of this than in the new release from Lagavulin and Nick Offerman.

Nick is a lover of all things wood, Lagavulin and steak. By combining these three passions, a most delectable and exceptional whisky is born. Introducing Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Charred Oak Cask. This 11 year old Single malt Scotch Whisky has been aged in heavily charred ex-bourbon and ex-red wine casks creating the perfect whisky to accompany any medium-rare steak. With hints of vanilla, red berries, sea salt brine and Lagavulin’s signature smore, this whisky not only shines on its own, but highlights and accentuates those perfect steak flavours.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE: Peaty, chocolate, treacle, with some red berry notes. A little bit of creaminess comes through, without taking over.

PALATE: Pungent, peaty, woody and spicy, cocoa. Sweet berry notes. Chocolatey and warming on the palate.

FINISH: Warm, lingering, spicy, sensational.

AWARDS: San Francisco World Spirits Competition DOUBLE GOLD 2022

As our legend goes, one extraordinary day the King of Islay was reborn. A spark of sunlight fell from the sky, and set the land ablaze. When the flames subsided, the scorched earth was veiled in thick smoke. Suddenly, new life rose from the ashes in shimmering feathers of honeyed gold and rich crimson. A regal Phoenix soared above its wings of fire powering the stills of Lagavulin, amplifying its spiced intensity. Lagavulin has long been the home of legends. Its rocky bay was crowned with a castle by Lords of the Isles who ruled long ago. The distillery rose in succession; deeply respected, a king born to power. Made in the birthplace of distilling, this iconic Islay malt is intense and smoky, steeped in history and lore for over two hundred years.In this deep expression from virgin oak and our smokiest reserves, peaty casks lead spice and smoke on their eternal dance with deep sweetness. The smooth, oily start shines with sweet richness, before lemony citrus and sea salt add freshness and an explosion of spice to savour. Mid-palate, the taste becomes more drying, its smoky intensity ever-growing. Great waves of peat wreathe the long, smoky-spicy finish. New-fired, Lagavulin soars to fresh heights of spiced smoke. The King of Islay reborn as a shimmering, flamegarlanded phoenix, fit to power a soaring, deeply smoky expression. Crackling spice rises from the smoky intensity. From a combination of virgin oak casks and smokiest reserves. An elemental Lagavulin from virgin oak and our smokiest reserves, in which rich, peaty casks lead saltiness, spice and smoke on their eternal dance with deep sweetness. Best served neat, pour 60ml of Lagavulin 12YO in a whisky glass and enjoy. Lagavulin 12YO is a unique gift that stands out within the Special Releases collection, and is perfect for get-togethers with friends or family.

TASTING NOTES

APPEARANCE: Gleaming, iridescent gold.

BODY: Medium.

NOSE: Dry, with an immediate powerful smokiness; much more so than is usual with Lagavulin, with charcoal and fragrant peat massively to the fore, backed by a clean fresh base-note that suggests sea air and mineral scents. Much reduced, aromatically, with even a little water, it remains essentially unaltered.

PALATE: The smooth lightly oily texture shines with sweet richness; the taste is sweet to start, then takes off with a soaring lemony acidity and a sprinkling of sea salt to add freshness. Mid-palate the fire dries the taste, which flies still higher now in its salty-smoky intensity. A dash of water rounds and sweetens but it’s the smoke that dominates.

FINISH: Long, with great waves of peat-smoke, and new-fired heights of spiced and smoky intensity that last wonderfully in the aftertaste.