Lagavulin 12 Years Old (Special Releases 2019)

This undiluted 12 Years Old was the 2019 Special Release, a large outturn of 60,762 bottles in ex-Bourbon. Lagavulin has stood at its namesake bay since 1816, one of Islay's south-shore distilleries.

A long, slow distillation through onion-shaped stills shapes the peated make. Twelve years in ex-Bourbon, bottled at full strength, give a direct, vivid smoke.

At cask strength, 56.5%. The smoke owes to guaiacol and phenols, vanilla from the oak beneath. Notes take in smoke, a mossy note, citrus, a medicinal edge, vanilla and new wood. A cask strength Special Release.