PBMichiganWolverine
Lagavulin 12 Year (2021 Special Release)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
September 19, 2022 (edited October 8, 2022)
We (as in @pkingmartin , @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington , @Richard-ModernDrinking and @ctbeck11 ) had our quarterly online tasting. This was one of the spectacular pours of the evening. The other four were
1) Bardstown Chateau Laubade batch 1
2) Craigellechie 13 Armagnac finished ,
3) Barrell 20yr Seagrass, and
4) 15yr Jacob’s Well.
This was one of my contributions for the tasting.
Just looking back at my previous Diageo special releases for Lagavulin, I noticed I gave an earlier version high marks as well ( 2017 I think), which was also a refill oak cask. I always feel as if Lagavulin really shines in a refill oak cask. It truly allows the spirit essence to come through with minimal cask influences. And a cask strength version allows more horsepower to the aromas.
This is all sea air, brine, and minerals. We saved this one for last, and thankfully so. The brine and smoke would’ve corrupted the other tastings. Nose is sea spray, wet stones, smoked herring. Taste is briny, citrus, smoke, seaweed, herbs like thyme and tarragon.
For about $150, it’s a pricey 12 yr old. But I felt as if it’s better than the standard Lag 16, and best of the Lag 12 annual releases so far.
150.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@Scott_E it’s unfortunate how the price has doubled since then. Those 2016 / 2017 were $70-80. Now this is close to $150. Will be hard to justify going forward, unless it’s in “4.5+ Out of 5” category
@Anthology my 2 cents - the Armagnac took a back seat (or trunk) with lots of sharp malt on the front, funk in the middle and finally a bit of chocolate covered raisin on the finish
@PBMichiganWolverine I bought a bottle of this (2016 bottling) after you provided a sample, years ago. Fabulous. Still haven’t gotten to open it yet. Those days will be coming soon enough.
@cascode yeah, definately. The last Lag 12 that was as good as this was the 2017
@PBMichiganWolverine I knew you'd like this one - the best Lagavulin 12 in years.
@Slainte-Mhath you won’t regret it. It’s at its best with the refill cask. @Whiskey_Hound traditionally, it’s also been the only affordable one in the release as well (with Caol Ila or Talisker), but the last two years, it’s skyrocketed to over $130 from $80
@PBMichiganWolverine I can still get it for around 150 €, so I'll probably buy a bottle. It's not that there are many Lagavulins you can afford in these days.
Great review and you’re absolutely right to let this one close the show! The 2017 was pretty spectacular, but they’re really strong every year—though I can’t speak to the 2019 which was a UK exclusive
@Slainte-Mhath if there’s one Lag 12 to get, this one is it. Seems harder and harder to find though
@Anthology that was just as good—- but different. Whereas the Bardstown Laubade was more in your face, the Craigellechie was more subtle. It was good enough for me to order a bottle this afternoon for $70.
Great line-up! What were your thoughts on the Craigellachie 13 Armagnac finish? I scrolled through my feed and also checked reviews on it to see if you posted something. Curious minds want to know 😊
@PBMichiganWolverine This one is still on my shopping list, great review!