Lagavulin 12 Year Old appears once a year as part of Diageo's Special Releases, and each edition is bottled at whatever natural cask strength that year's whisky reached. That makes the year on the box the most important thing about the bottle, because no two editions are the same. This is the 2014, bottled at 54.4 percent alcohol by volume from stock distilled in 2001 and 2002, matured entirely in refill American oak and limited to 31,428 bottles. Refill bourbon wood is the key to the whole expression. Where the more familiar Lagavulin 16 sees sherry influence and comes across tarry and dark, the 12 is deliberately stripped back, letting the distillery's peat, salt and coastal character speak without a heavy wood overlay. It runs greener and more vegetal as a result, and considerably more intense at full strength. The nose gives salty citrus, white ash and iodine with a leafy green edge, chilli flake on seaweed and white pepper, with sweeter vanilla and preserved lemon emerging with time. The palate carries candied lemon, white pepper on seaweed, green bell pepper, leathery vanilla, coastal peat and tarry white ash smoke. The finish runs long and chilli like, with salty citrus, dry vanilla oak and vegetal peat tar. Reviewers have noted the 12 rewards being taken at full strength and loses its balance if reduced too far, so pour it neat and add water only a drop at a time.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
54.4% |
| Proof |
108.8 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Scotland |
| Region |
Islay |
| Category |
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Expression |
12 Year Old Natural Cask Strength, Limited Edition |
| Bottled |
2014 |
| Distilled |
2001 and 2002 |
| Age |
12 years |
| Maturation |
Refill American oak casks |
| Production |
31,428 bottles |
| Series |
Diageo Special Releases 2014 |
| Distillery |
Lagavulin Distillery, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, established 1816 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Pale gold, natural and uncoloured, reflecting refill American oak maturation.
Nose: Salty citrus, white ash and iodine with a leafy green vegetal edge, chilli flake on seaweed and white pepper, opening into sweeter vanilla, pickled lime and preserved lemon.
Palate: Candied lemon and white pepper on seaweed, with green bell pepper, leathery vanilla, coastal peat, lime pickle and salted green apple over tarry white ash smoke.
Finish: Long and chilli like, closing on green pepper, salty citrus, dry vanilla oak and vegetal peat tar.
FAQ
What proof is the 2014 edition? 108.8 proof, or 54.4 percent alcohol by volume. Lagavulin 12 is released annually at natural cask strength and the figure changes each year, with later editions running between 56 and 57.4 percent.
Why does the bottling year matter? Each annual release is a separate whisky bottled at its own strength from different stock. The 2014 was drawn from 2001 and 2002 distillations and limited to 31,428 bottles, and it will not be produced again.
How does it differ from Lagavulin 16? The 16 sees sherry influence and comes across darker and tarrier. The 12 is matured in refill American oak only and bottled at cask strength, so it runs greener, more vegetal and considerably more intense.
What are Diageo Special Releases? An annual collection of limited bottlings drawn from Diageo's Scotch distilleries. Lagavulin 12 has featured in the programme for over two decades and is among its most consistently anticipated entries.
Should I add water? Sparingly. Reviewers have found the 12 loses its balance when reduced substantially, so drink it neat and add water a drop at a time if at all.
Where can I buy Lagavulin 12 Year 2014 Limited Edition online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
