Diageo releases a natural cask strength 12 YO from Lagavulin every year. The Special Release 2015 is bottled at 56,8 ABV. Only bourbon casks have been used for this limited edition.
Soft, sweet smoke on the nose. Vanilla and caramel fudge. Salt and sea. Some lemon as well. I love the nose! Could have nosed it all evening. The smoke hits the palate at once! Then, the rich and smooth taste of vanilla, caramel fudge, lemon, eucalyptus, salt and licorice. In the finish the smoke and eucalyptus lures gently in the background while the licorice and lemon is more pronounced. Oak and ashes makes it a bit dry in the end.
I like how a Swedish friend summarized the whisky: The flavors surpassed the alcohol in terms of strength! (Thanks, Ulf!)
My score: nose 23 / taste 23 / finish 23 / balance 23 = 92
I just had to taste the Special Release 2014 – just for the comparison… Both are lovely drams, but quite different actually. This years release is more rich and sweet, at least that is what I think. Sláinte!
– Tone
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