Lagavulin 12 Year (2019 Special Release)

The king of Islay. Lagavulin. I believe that it doesn't matter if you like Ardbeg more, or you feel that Bowmore can be fancier, Lagavulin is the King of Islay. And it is the king, because of its quality. It is by far the most balanced peaty, Islay single malt, with bold but "bearable" flavors and aromas. Their 16yo is a classic that cannot be defeated. Having said all that, this 2019 special release by Diageo, is a 12yo cask strength one, which sometimes can be an uncertain bet, since higher abv on peaty islay whiskies can become quite harsh. This is not the case, "au contraire" this expression is super balanced and very enjoyable. Bottled at 56.5%abv, pale straw color. On the nose, incredible smokiness. Citric. A peatyVanilla cake, beautiful aroma. Ashtray, cheap taxi air freshener. Fresh lemonade. After a first sip, i got sand, cloth detergent, sider or green apple liquor. Meringue. After a third sip, it released fishy, pond aromas, a little stinky but still super interesting. On the palate, it got near to perfection. Vanilla, super easy to drink for a peaty 56.5%abv whisky.  Meringue, lemon, pepper, everything enjoyable and you can hold it for a long time which was surprising. A second sip gave me vanilla, toffee, mossy peat. Aftertaste was absolutely amazing. Wood smoke, dry burnt hay, very balanced;  smokey and spicy but in a very enjoyable way, not harsh at all. Cigarrettes. Overall, it is amazing how Lagavulin is able to conquer your palate, your nose and your heart. Every note here screams "i am going to be super harsh", but in reality everything is super balanced and enjoyable. I loved this whisky, a noble peaty spirit. My score is 95 over 100 and should be higher. Update: the 56.5%abv just kicked in, i am going to sleep like a baby. +1 point for enhanced experience.

What in god's name? Nose - alcohol is heavy here. You get traditional lag sweetness, but really it's that sweetness and alcohol. Something is already going off in my head "what's wrong". No depth no oak, no richness, and it's just thin while alcohol driven. Taste - yep Houston we have a problem. Sour, bitter, alcohol driven. The finish starts back into some quality lag malt character. The oak on this is just terrible. it reminds me of what lag 8 (I hate) at CS. I don't need a higher alcohol expression of a bad whisky. So my fear is after months of the only lags I have drank have all been special limited releases and I've had nearly all of the releases over the last 5-6 years thanks to friends. So I poured the 2018 which I've always felt was a pretty traditional lag 12. OK, I HAVE become a bit more of a snob, but I get all kinds of quality in this 2018 bottling. There's better oak, sweetness is balancing, no sharp bitters, and it's just richer and fuller of flavors. Back to the 19, there's a hint of menthol at the end, I am at least finding some complexity but it's so biting and alcohol driven. I'd never believe you if you blinded me and said this was a 12 year. If this is the new standard for lag 12, they can keep it out of the US. 1.5 just a massive disappointment, but I must admit, I'm getting to where I just don't dig 12 years whisky like I used to.

On the nose, an explosion of well-roasted bacon on pine wood, with a lot of salt and anchovy paste. Balsamic touch to round off the peated blow. Intense and penetrating, for the lovers of the genre (Me! Me!), a real show. Hot pepper greets at the first sip, bowing immediately to the pungent marine peat (anchovies marinated on the barbecue?), accompanied by an unexpected sweet shade of apricots and pear, as if they had made fruit skewers on the burning wood. Citrus fruits, salted caramel, and again the balsamic note that flows in the background. Full-bodied and chubby, anything but cuddly though, a sort of fisherman with a jovial soul (like that of Big Peat but with an easy laugh). Long finish, of embers, sea and caramel. What a strange drink! A Lagavulin you don't expect, very funny and balanced, offering a demanding but satisfying drink.

Colour: White Wine Nose: Neck pour, this might change. Initial strong alcohol on the nosing. Tropical fruits and smoke. Palate: Harsh. Peat, not as fruity as lag 12 2017. Definitely a “different” Lagavulin with some funk in it. Probably anchovy as the other described. Might need a revisit after sitting for awhile in the cabinet. With water: Yes oh Yes! The fruits bounce out, much more balanced. I hardly add water but this one is a must. Finish: Long, smoke, ash and blackcurrents.

meat peat the way i like it, thick cream, hazelnut, aromatic flowers, high pep 3 thick creamy complexity, sweet and spicy apple/pear, light bitterness and oaky 3 sustain peaty 3 3 high pep, high peaty smokey, bbq, apple, green fruits, creamy complexity, 2.75 (because of the high pep - searing) meaty, bitter oaky, tannin, woody, thick complexity, 1.5 long sustained oaky 2

A- amber-3, high viscosity N- savory, smoky,pepper, honey, vanilla, tangerine, orange peels, sultanas, bananas, sea minerals P- medium spicy-smoky-savory arrival, full, rich, oily, bacon, honey, vanilla, sultanas, green apples, tangerines, orange peels, briny, sea salt, sea water, earthy F- long finish, sweet-savory- dry after taste