Lagavulin 26 Year (2021 Special Release)

Ok, games are over, lets review some seriously old Lagavulins i had the pleasure and luck to taste at the distillery. I will start this series of critics with a super good looking, limited expression, the Lagavulin 26yo Lion's Jewel 2021 special release. This is one of two of Diageo's Special Releases; the other one, the 12yo Cask strength wasn't super impressive, but i was eager to try this very expensive 26 years old one, which is still to this date the oldest "Laga" i have ever had. Bottled at 44.2%abv, matured in first fill PX casks and Oloroso sherry seasoned butts. The legend of the Lion's Jewel goes as follows: "hidden within his den on Islay bay, The King of Islay guarded a gem of precious worth. The resplendent stone glowed ruby red, glistening with lustre. Won through decades of fire and ferocity, it reflected an alluring warmth and smouldering intensity – the captivating nature of Lagavulin.” On the nose, quite attractive: Ashtray and tangerine. Coffee beans, cigarrtetes. Very appealing. Oranges. On the palate it was very good but a little dim. Vanilla water, pepper, ashes, Gooseberries, coconut. Oranges. Aftertaste was good, not mind blowing though. Smokey and citric. Grapefruit, it actually has a fruity finish. Gooseberries, citric. Cigarrette finish. Overall, for a $2.400 dram which i believe it was the original retail price, you are not getting what you are paying. Don't get me wrong, i am the one who believes that any whisky over $450 is demential, but if i have the chance to try a glass or two for the fraction of the price i will go for it. Good whisky, not incredible, my score for it is 88 over 100.

Tried this at the Colin Dunn masterclass at Feis Ile and it was amazing stuff. Adding a sherry influence to a meaty peaty whisky is as close as one can get to a Peated Mortlach. Nose: Raisins, Dates, Figs, Sultanas, Luxardo Cherries, Bananas, Pineapples, Blackberries, Honey, Barbecue Sauce, Hickory Smoke, Mirabelle Plums, Dark Chocolate, Pork Ribs, Leather Palate: Dark Chocolate, Raisins, Prunes, Blackberries, Peach Melba, Figs, Apricots, Violets, Butterscotch, Chili Pepper, Milk Chocolate, Tar, Iodine, Barbecue Beef Ribs Finish: Raisins, Milk Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Luxardo Cherries, Smoke, Beef Ribs, Leather, Tobacco

N: iodine brine with herbaceous notes and carminative spice. P: heavy smoke bacon, baked apples, carminative spice, caramel, leather with underlying pear sauce and vanilla.

Strong sherry finish, nose still smoky but peat is gone from finish

May 1, 2025 tasting Smooth with a sweetness that goes down well