Lagavulin 26-year-old Special Release 2021 / 44.2% / 0.7l

“Special Releases” is a luxurious, limited edition series of whiskies released by Diageo every autumn.

It debuted in 2002 and consists of the best and rarest single malt and grain whiskies from the group's portfolio offered in cask strength. However, recent releases contain fewer old (and consequently expensive) whiskies, hence their availability is greater. The 2021 set consists of eight whiskies, only one of which was aged for over 20 years. The collection is called "Legends Untold", and the labels depict fairy-tale creatures that come to life after scanning the QR code on them. The Lagavulin 26 years old presented here, distilled 1994, was aged in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry barrels and bottled at 44.2% abv. The edition consisted of 7,542 bottles.

Nose : peat smoke and tarred ropes, smoked meat, raisins, plums, black cherries, figs, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, linseed, damp wool, delicate notes of sherry and oak.

Palate: peat smoke, cherries, plums, red currants, grilled pineapple, smoked ham, sea salt, pepper, cinnamon, mint leaf, pipe tobacco, traces of leather and ash.

Finish : long, with notes of grilled meats, salt and pepper, mulled wine spice, tobacco, oak and peat smoke.