54,4°
Distillery : Lagavulin - Islay
Refill American Oak Casks
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2014
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Peated around 38 ppm
In 2014, the Diageo Special Releases were well worth a look. There was a 35-year-old Port Ellen, a Brora of the same age, and a 30-year-old Caol Ila, among others. The only affordable bottles were an unpeated 15-year-old Caol Ila, and this Lagavulin, one of the distillery's hallmarks, in its 14th incarnation. It's an essential tradition, 12 years, in Refill American oak casks, to give the distillate all the room it needs, and the rest is up to you to savour. 31,428 bottles were released for sale.
Let's Taste It :
A classical Lagavulin. Smoky lemon and the fullness of iodine. Sea spray, foam and a citrus zest. Grapefruit too. In the background, a rather thick and muddy peat, but not overpowering. A few pungent spices give it a funk. A slice of gherkin, pickles. Crushed banana. On the palate, it's very oily and rather smooth, solid honey, still citrus fruits, then the spices rise, black pepper, grated nutmeg, fairly strong cloves. Chocolate chips. The finish is long, very powerful, peppery, taking you far away, lemon and white grape pulp coming through, coconut cream. Blond American tobacco. A few wisps of straw. Lemonade with bubbles.
In Short,
This really is the Lagavulin 12-year-old in all its purity. Well-balanced and smooth, but at the same time there's a hint of cold ash, thick peat, heavy smoke and a few meaty notes. It is in this contrast that lies the secret of an expression that has made the great days of the distillery. What's more, the design of the bottle was perfect, nothing like the vulgar kitsch of today. It can still be found at auction for an acceptable price, around twice the release price. For the curious, it's certainly worth a try.
Score : 90
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Marisa & The Moths - If You Knew
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