Lagavulin 12-year-old, Diageo Special Release 2022 / 57.3% / 0.7l

Special Releases is a limited series of Diageo whiskies released every autumn.

It debuted in 2002 and is composed of the finest single malt and single grain whiskey casks from the group's portfolio, bottled in a cask strength version without chill filtration. The 2022 release included 7 single malts (Mortlach NAS, Oban 10 years old, Talisker 11 years old, Clynelish 12 years old, Lagavulin 12 years old, Singleton of Glen Ord 15 years old, Cardhu 16 years old) and one single grain whiskey, Cameron Bridge 26 years old. Lagavulin 12 years old was included in Special Releases for the 21st time; this time it was composed of distillates with the highest concentration of phenol compounds, for maturation of which American oak refill barrels and so-called virgin oak casks were used.

Nose : peat smoke, grilled pork neck, tarred ropes, damp gravel and sand, seaweed, baked apples, salted nuts, burnt toast, notes of leather and charred oak.

Taste: smoky-hospital, smoked seafood, seaweed salad, salted caramel, grilled pineapple, green apples, graham crackers, black pepper, traces of iodine and tar.

Finish: long and intense, with notes of peat smoke, sea salt, algae salad, green olives, dried herbs and charred oak.