While doing the last two posts, I recalled there was one more I wanted to taste. Actually, to re-taste. Back in 2013 I visited Lagavulin and as part of the premium tasting event I tasted the Lagavulin 12 CS (2012 version). You can read all about it here but it was horrible and vile whisky.

I didn’t have time to investigate it on the spot as we were in a hurry to reach another tour, but later I got feedback and remarks that led me to the conclusion it was probably a improper cleaned glass and so I promised myself to revisit it someday, and that day finally arrived now following all those reviews in the last few days.

Thanks to my friend Michael, I got a small sample of this Lagavulin and tasted it again last night. How was it? vile again or a proper Lagavulin?

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Releases 2012) (56.1%, £84.95/€89.95)

Nose: Big peat note, not so smokey but there’s a nice layed down burnt down wood smoke. It’s very sweet & fruity with a touch of lemon. Oily and even had a passing by note of rubber and liquorice.

Palate: Sweet peat, a bit of ashes and soot, smoke, sweet stewed fruits, lemon. Very  rich and mouth coating. Very smooth (some oxidization probably took some role here)

Finish: Long finish with lots of sweetness: sweet peat and fruits and barely some ash/smoke behind

Thoughts: Now this is a proper Lagavulin! Peat, sweet and rich remidning me a lot the new make spirit profile. I was relieved that this 2nd tasting was as I expected it to be and my faith in Lagavulin 12 is restored. I ordered a bottle and I do recommend you have a bottle of the 12yo (any edition) in your cabinet.