Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Releases 2015 15th Release

Tasting notes by Billy A

• Nose

  Ash and lemons, abandoned beach bonfires, damp forests, and medicinal notes of bandages and freshly peeled sticking plasters. The citrus continues to grow, becoming zesty and sharp, with the medicinal nature becoming more like swimming pools. While it's punchy and not as rich and heavy as some years' releases, it has sweet vanilla hiding underneath the provide a respite.

• Palate

  Lots of minerality and austere smoke – cracked stone, burnt tree stumps and rock lined fire pits. It does get richer as it sits, but it's balanced by more bitter flavours – chocolate, caramel and pungent wood smoke, with a background of barrel char. Spice dances around underneath, with cinnamon and black pepper providing heat.

• Finish

  Liquorice, pine and rich earth, fading to cinnamon spice and menthol.

• Comment

  An in-your-face and zingy whisky, avoiding the weightier flavours that the distillery is often known for and focusing on smoke, zest and minerality – Lagavulin in its purest form.