Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Release 2023 The Ink of Legends

Part of the Special Releases 2023 ‘Spirited Xchange’ from Diageo, this is the Lagavulin 12 Year Old Single Malt called ‘The Ink of Legends’. This release was inspired by the spirit of intensity and pride that shines through a Lagavulin history more than 200 years long, exploring the famed symbols of the ancient Mesoamerican art of tattoo, rich in story and significance. The whisky, finished in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks, pulses with herbal flavours ancient and modern, engraving an indelible story. It was bottled at cask strength.

    Nose:    The immediate aromas are slightly more medicinal than smoky, showing hints of carbolic soap and soothing rub that soon mingle with aromatic wood smoke from a driftwood bonfire on the beach. As the intense, herbal smoke takes over, a savoury note drifts through it, suggesting barbecued pork.

    Taste:    At natural strength, the robust texture is creamy-smooth and mouth-filling, while with its ever-richer swirling​ flavours the taste is sweet at first and citrus-like, adds a good sprinkling of salt, then reveals notes of juicy plum in an increasingly smoky and lip-tingling finale.

    Finish:    Long, with a salty tang and finishing very smoky, with just a hint of that light meatiness in a smoky aftertaste that is both lingering and mouth-cooling. It is drying, with a lovely warm-heartedness.