Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12-Year-Old (Review)

History

Lagavulin is another gem of a distillery in the picturesque Highland island of Islay. Despite the plethora of amazing whisky distilleries on the island, Lagavulin was the first of the Islay malts. It is said that back in the 1700s, Lagavulin had its start with illicit stills for producing their fine whisky.

Lagavulin uses strongly peaty barley that is malted locally in Port Ellen and ferments it until their whisky obtains its characteristic peat-rich flavor. This is a slow process and their long distillation also gives their malts a characteristic softness, with round mellow edges.

The Whisky

At first glance, this whisky is amber in color rather then the light honey of some other Highland malts. A tentative sniff at first greets me with a pungent scent. Lagavulin is renowned for their peat and smoke notes, and this bottle doesn’t disappoint. I am met with the scent of coal ready for the fire with a smoky background. It is reminiscent of the smell of hot tar being laid on the freeway. On the palate, this malt is warm with a sharp edge. The smokiness is even stronger in the mouth and the peat washes over me in a wave of flavor. The peat is spiced with black pepper and sea salt. Overall, it’s a rounded, full flavor. It lingers in the mouth, with peat remaining dominant throughout. It is an intense malt, not for the faint of heart. I’d almost call it masculine.

Price Tag: $100


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