Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
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’.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Aromatic peat smoke, sea spray, citrus zest, and vanilla sweetness.
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Palate: Intense and lively with smoky waves, salted caramel, peppery spice, and lemon oil.
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Finish: Long, warming, and smoky with lingering maritime brine and oak.
WARNING: This is STRICTLY intended for persons aged 21 and above. Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol.





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.