PBMichiganWolverine
Lagavulin 12 Year (2016 Special Release)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
December 23, 2016 (edited July 22, 2017)
Have family over this weekend, so we just opened this 2016 Diageo Special release. I think "special" means "we'll charge you more for a lower age whiskey". The 16 is about $80. I paid $90 for this. Something wrong with that logic...but anyway, is it worth it? Let's see. From the nose, it's really the younger sibling to the 16. Stronger aroma. If the 16 gives a whiff of the briny splash of the ocean wave, this gives you a hard smack. Nothing gentle about this. First sip lemons and salt, followed really quickly by grapefruit and Kerala peppercorns. ( Kerala ones are fresh 'green' taste with heat). Wow---ends really strong. Like when you walk into a really cold room, and turn on a wood burning stove. You almost feel the embers in the back of your throat. This is good, but not for everyone. If you don't like the 16, you'll hate this. If you think the 16 is for acne pimpled Boy Scouts, this is right up your alley. Will grow some hair on your chest...even if your genotype is XX instead of XY...
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
I totally agree---if I had to choose, I'd take this over the 16. I like the extra oomph and kick.
I still have an unopened bottle of this from 2015 and I've always thought the 16 year old could use a little more "oomph", so I think this may be right in my wheelhouse. Guess I'm gonna have to add this to my steadily growing 2017 Buyer's List.
Lagavulin 12yr Cask Strength is worth every penny, and I personally like it more than the 16-year-old expression. It's like Lagavulin 8yr matured for 4 extra years and bottled at cask strength - but without the sherry. Excellent stuff.
I prefer the 12 to the 16. The extra ABV gives me a lot of room to add water and find nuance without losing strength and impact. If this was in the same price as most other 12YO (or even a few 15YO), it would be a permanent resident in my rack.