LeeEvolved
Lagavulin 12 Year (2016 Special Release)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
January 25, 2017 (edited July 22, 2017)
Well, for this year's Burns Night celebration I've decided to pop open the 2015 Lagavulin 12 year old cask strength and do a comparison with the 2016 version. Up next is the fresher vintage- the 200th Anniversary 2016: it's 115.4 proof and is also non-chill filtered. It's an even lighter straw color in the glass but seems a tad more oily than its predecessor. It still makes some nice, sexy legs in the Glencairn, too.
The lemon and orchard fruits aren't as prevalent in the 2016 like the 2015- this one is more of your traditional Lagavulin. Sea spray, peat smoke and bacon. There's a hint of pine needles on the nose. It's amazing in it's own right, it just doesn't seem as lively as the 2015.
On the palate, there's the typical charred oak, salted caramel, vanilla and black pepper spice. It is noticeably sweeter than the 2015 and is an excellent change of pace when doing them side by side. The big ABV is still all up in your face, as well. The campfire fades a bit quicker and the finish is shorter, too. The burn subsides and leaves you ready for another taste. It's equally as amazing as the 2015. Great stuff.
These two examples of the 12 year old cask strength are wonderful. I think I prefer the 2015 just a tiny bit more because of the lively citrus notes on the nose. They are both solid 5 star drams and excellent examples of Lagavulin single malts when they are at their very best. Again, Happy Burns Night 2017, my friends. Thanks to my friend, Pranay, for providing this delicious sample. It allowed me an amazing chance to review both vintages side by side. It really was a win/win for me.
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@Leeevoled thanks appreciate the comparison. I tend to like the same whisky's you do so your opinion is valuable. I also really like cask strength releases as well. Cheers!
@erogers- it has been a real pleasure in my short time in this community. It really is awesome when you can search out whisky and get great, thorough reviews from the experts and regulars alike. It makes shopping for something new a whole lot easier. I've made a couple of new trading partners here as well. I only wish that the app would let experienced reviewers add whisky to the inventory and review them. Waiting on the experts to have something can take awhile.
@Leeevolved - this is what I love about the Distiller community. Where else can you get sound opinions from real people you've come to trust about relative value? I might venture out now and pick up the 12-year Special Release, whereas absent this discussion, it likely wouldn't have been on my radar. Thanks for your always thoughtful reviews and helpful comments.
@ Matt- I feel comfortable saying that I'd easily hand over the extra $30+ for the younger, cask strength Laga's. If you really like the 16 year then you'll love the 2016 12 yr cask- it's like the 16 yr on steroids. There may be a bit more complexity in the 2015 12 yr cask, but both 12 year old bottlings are the cream of the crop from Lagavulin IMHO.
Matt---I can send you a sample if you're interested---will help you decide if you want to purchase the full bottle or not. Let me know---I'm at [email protected]
It's $120 here in IN and I haven't pulled the trigger on purchasing due to cost compared to Lag 16 and DE. Will pick up a bottle at some point especially after reading your review Lee!
I stand corrected----more like $120-150. Doesn't make sense to me...more expensive than the Lag 16, and younger age...?
Slainte: there's a bunch still available in the US, for just about $70. I'm wondering if they over allocated here
I'm glad you enjoyed it---can't go wrong with a Lag.
Excellent comparison, Lee! I have the 2016 bottling in my collection, but it was sold out so quickly that I hesitate to open it!