Lagavulin 1991 Diageo Special Release 2012 21 yo

 

 

 

52°

Distillery : Lagavulin - Islay 

1st Fill Ex-Sherry European Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Release 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2012

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 38 ppm

 

 

 

From time to time, these gentlemen from Diageo include a very old Lagavulin within the Special Releases. In 2021, for example, we were entitled to a 26 year old. And in 2013, it was a 37 year old! Well, apart from that, it's pretty rare nonetheless, especially lately. That's why it's always a small event when one of these very old Lagavulin comes out, it's bound to be rare and very expensive, and everyone talks about it. Here, it is a 21 year old, aged in Sherry casks, released in 2772 copies. At the time, it was one of the oldest official bottlings.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very fine balance, with vanilla and bare wood. Elegant, racy smoke. Humus, earthy depth, forest undergrowth. It rained on ferns, light fog, walnuts and truffles. Chocolate, almonds, tree bark. Liquorice. Fried bananas. Ripe mirabelles. Minty freshness. On the palate, fig jam, tinder, chestnut cream. Light spices, paprika, white pepper. Filled pralines, coffee grounds, nutmeg, cloves. The finish is extremely long, gradually developing great power, heather, dried fruit, hot chestnuts. Marzipan. Yellow apples.

 

In Short,

It's obviously very good, and even excellent, but I was expecting something really crazy, and it wasn't the case. The Sherry remains discreet, everything is monstrously balanced, and suddenly nothing stands out, nothing upsets. It's just incredibly well done. The price leaves you speechless, we really come to crazy extremes.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Sondre Lerche - Why Would I Let You Go?