This Special Release of the cask strength Lagavulin 12 Year offered a bit of a twist on the typical refill bourbon cask maturation by adding some New Oak into the mix. I have not been particularly taken in by new oak maturations, outside of European Oak or maybe some of the rare and uncommon oaks that can provide a bit of a twist to the flavor profile (hello Oregon Oak!).  I was a bit unsure of this whisky, though I did pick up a bottle that had been discounted from Duty Free in Singapore.

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Whisky: Lagavulin 12 Year, Special Release 2022

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 57.3%

Cask: Refill American Oak, New Oak

Age: 12 Years (Bottled 2022)

Notes: Wood-fired stoves and toasted chestnuts offered a nutty smoke over the top of more acrid tar and putty. Freshly dug river clay and a bit of dry peat to fuel the stove when the wood burns out, the aroma balanced earth and sea with tar and musk— sometimes I am amazed that I cannot buy a Lagavulin scented aftershave (or can I?) Medium-bodied on the palate with a bright peppery arrival— plenty of toasted black peppercorns, pink rock salt, and bay leaves. Burning wood and peat provided smoke, vanilla, earth, and grassy elements— a dirty combination that did not burn clean. More tar and resin arrived near the end as the peppercorns popped in for a final time and a more acrid and slightly bitter goodbye. The finish was medium-length and quite peppery with subtle citrus and soft brine.

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Score: 7 (80)

Mental Image: Lighting the Winter Stove

Conclusion: Label aside, this was more or less in line with previous years. It was not as clean and well-defined as some of earlier iterations, and the finish was never as long as I wanted, but it was close enough in my book. It was about as straightforward a Lagavulin as you are likely to find and it remains a predictably solid part of the Special Release lineup. I felt that the New Oak element was not overdone, but I wondered if it was responsible for the slightly messier flavor profile. Overall, dependable and tasty, though I still find the label less classy and timeless than the older ones.