After last year’s unnecessary Lagavulin 12 Years from tequila casks and a slightly dubious virgin oak ‘enhanced’ release, we’re back to classic first-fill bourbon and refill casks. Despite the increased influence of first-fill oak, this is the Lagavulin 12 Year Old character we’ve all fallen in love with, right? The 2021 and 2020 editions from refill oak were some of my recent favourites.
Lagavulin 12 Years ‘Fireside Tales’ (57,4%, OB Special Releases 2024, first fill bourbon + refill casks)
Nose: clean and very ashy, with plenty of phenols, a little menthol and a good deal of coastal notes. Vertical and pure, not as boldly peated as expected. Then bread crust and just a hint of round coconut and vanilla. Seawater, some grapefruit, lemon and lime peel, with just a drop of olive brine. Sharp but never too fierce, just lovely.
Mouth: really punchy now. There’s bonfire smoke, with fumes and ashes. Citrusy freshness (lemon and lime) along with light honey and vanilla. Perhaps a little more sweetness than I expected. Then also black pepper, iodine and subtle hints of roasted coffee beans. Smoked kippers and tobacco in the end.
Finish: really long, deeply warming, with ashy notes, iodine, tobacco, hints of mustard and more of these coffee beans.
A Lagavulin 12 that reminds me of the 2020 Special Release with its slightly increased sweetness. Not the most complex version, but simply a very good one that you can’t be against, in my opinion. One of the Special Releases I can recommend. Available from The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt, among many other retailers.