Lagavulin 12yo Cask Strength (2010)
Lagavulin is a legendary Islay distillery, and Diageo have done a good job with it. The 16yo is an all-time classic. And the annual cask strength release is both affordable, and also critically acclaimed. A new one will be announced later this year, but today I’ll try the release from five years ago.
Lagavulin 12yo CS (56,5%, OB, 2010)
Nose: Fresh sauerkraut and peat. Licorice with white pepper. And behind that is a fruity layer with melon and banana. Fairly tropical, but also some green veggies.
Taste: Salty, sall ammoniac and peat. Earthy and plenty of ash as well. A hint of lemon zest and red apples.
Finish: Earthy and maritime. Hint of sweetness. Long.
Rating: 87
Good but not great. A nice example of what Islay is all about, but is it really that much better than an Ardbeg Corryvreckan, or even an Ardbeg 10?
Photo: Master of Malt
Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist from The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.
Yes. It is that much better!