Lagavulin, 12 Year Old, Islay, Special Releases 2021, 2008

Tasting Note:

'The Lion’s Fire'

Distilled in 2008 from refill American Oak casks, 56.5% ABV

Lustrous pale straw-gold in colour. On the it is mild, drying and soon, wonderfully aromatic; clean, fresh and maritime, with top notes of sea air and Himalayan salt, supported by fragrant smoke-dried Lapsang Souchong tea and mineral salts. Beneath these lie drier notes of cocoa powder and dried seaweed, with a squeeze of lemon zest, this salty sweetness imbued with wood-smoke. Medium bodied, on the palate it is smooth and oily; the taste sweet to start then soon growling with an intense lemon acidity and a sprinkling of sea-salt. The overall salty-sweet taste is rounded, softened and sweetened by a drop of water. The finish is long with great waves of smoke, and roaring with chilli pepper warmth. Smoke lasts wonderfully in the aftertaste.