Lagavulin 12-year-old - Fireside Tales

Lagavulin 12 Year Old Fireside Tales Special Releases 2024 57.4% 70cl Much-loved Lagavulin has become a staple in the Special Releases series, with every year bringing a different twist. For 2024, the use of refill American oak hogsheads and refill European oak butts show off the Islay distillery’s sweeter, spicier side. But peat lovers, don’t fear – the 12-year-old still packs in all the signature smoky joy that Lagavulin is cherished for. Official tasting notes: Nose: Drying in feel, and quite gentle. Fresh, clean phenols rise to the fore at once with aromas of a smouldering bonfire on a distant beach and wood ash, introduced by healing cream and carbolic soap. These are backed by subtle fruity notes, some sweet, suggesting rowan jelly, others hinting at unripe redcurrants. There is more ash in the development. This is smokier with a drop of water, but still not heavily “smoky”. Palate: Smoothly creamy and really mouth-filling in texture, very sweet to taste at first then quickly drying, with a sprinkling of salt and a controlled smokiness, the intensity lip-tingling. A drop of water brings out the sweetness more but otherwise changes little. Finish: Long, finally powerfully smoky and drying, with a twist of warming spice that also lingers in the aftertaste. A classic Lagavulin.