Lagavulin 12 yo Special Release 2022

 

 

 

57,3°

Distillery : Lagavulin - Islay 

Refill American and Virgin Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 38 ppm

 

 

 

This is the 22nd batch of this limited edition of Lagavulin, which returns every year. And the success is undeniable. This time, they've tried something new, and added virgin casks for the ageing, whereas in the previous 21 editions, only American Refill casks were used, which gives this superb distillate its full measure. To mark the occasion, they've added a nickname to the bottle - Diageo's little nicknames have been in use since last year. This one is a little emphatic, I'm almost embarrassed to write it: 'The Flames of the Phoenix'. With a stunning illustration of a firebird on the label. What hasn't changed, however, is that we still don't know how many bottles were produced.

Let's Taste It : 

Beautiful sea breeze, iridescent with peat and salt crystals. Sweet yellow fruits, very ripe mirabelle plums, bananas, forest berries, Chasselas grapes. Quite thick smoke, but controlled nonetheless. More fullness with a bit of water. The iodine gradually spreads. The virgin casks eventually make themselves felt, giving it a certain harshness that is not to my displeasure. Coniferous forest in the mountain. Slightly herbaceous, even aniseed. On the palate, fruits, but above all spices, cumin, cloves, mustard. American tobacco, bay leaves. Very earthy, dusty, pepper, nutmeg. Very woody too. Two drops of honey. Long finish, clods of earth, piles of peat, the sand of the shore. Peppermint at the end.

 

In Short, 

It worked, as always. I liked the tobacco on the palate, the iodine, and I thought the virgin casks were well integrated. The whole is very ashy and rocky, and will appeal to enthusiasts. Having said that, I didn't think it was the best of the Lagavulin Special Releases I tasted. In fact, it's even the least impressive. It's well made, but what struck me in previous editions was the ability to combine the harshness of peat with a variety of fruits. Here, it's more monolithic, more direct. A little too spicy on the palate, and a less nuanced nose. All the more so as the price has risen considerably, we've gone beyond the reasonable stage, this expression is no longer good value for money. Maybe because of the more expensive virgin casks. It remains a good product, but should be reserved for absolute lovers.

Score: 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Dinosaur Jr - Alone