Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Releases 2017 17th Release

Tasting Notes

• Tasting notes by Billy Abbott (The Whisky Exchange)

  • Nose

    Mulchy leaves and meaty peat smoke with ash and mineral-laden smokiness building behind. Coal stoves emerge from the smoke with a layer of sweet peat on top, and a flash of mint. Water releases a burst of sea-spray and gentle oiliness.

  • Palate

    Salted peanuts and green leaves surrounded by clouds of sweet peat smoke. Coal dust and char appear, with sharp apple, lemon and a touch of ash close behind. Water brings sweetness and an underlying layer of rich chocolate.

  • Finish

    Citrusy smoke fades to coal dust. Liquorice and black pepper remain.

  • Comment

    A full-on Lagavulin built around punchy smoke – sharper and more focused than the 8yo, but with an extra layer of richness and complexity hiding underneath.

• Tasting notes from the producer

  • Appearance

    Very pale silvery gold.

  • Nose

    Simple, natural and mild; clean and fresh, with intense sweetness at the front, prickly smoke at the back and savoury, green and earthy notes at its core. Sweet sponge or liquorice, old-fashioned cleansing soap and wet wool are to the fore, then rock pools and sandy beaches, burning pine needles and ferns. The smoke builds, adding richer notes of smoked bacon and more austere mineral notes of cooled beach bonfires. In time the sweetness is lighter, with fruitier tones of apple, sweet pear and barbecued banana. A drop of water introduces a peppery note to the nose-feel and a thread of smoke to the aroma.

  • Body

    Light and smoothly oily.

  • Palate

    Easily approached at natural strength; rich and sweet, with a first burst of liquorice quickly supplanted by greener notes. The sweetness grows in the mid-palate, as golden syrup suffused with the savoury smoke of burning leaves, and smoked meat. That smoke becomes sweeter and spicier with black pepper and cinnamon, nutmeg and golden sugar. Finally, the greenness returns as gently drying grass. Water (it can take a good splash) emphasizes lightness, sweetness and smoke; the smoke now more mineral, the syrup and fruit simpler, fresher.

  • Finish

    Sweet and of medium length, with a lingering smoky aftertaste.