Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 56.5%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Refill, Oloroso & PX
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Diageo
Average price: € 170.00
Official website: www.malts.com
A usual presence in the Special Releases, for this 2025 the twelve years of Lagavulin returns with maturation in seasoned Oloroso and PX refill casks.
Despite the name, the casks are not declared as ex-sherry, so they may come from other Spanish regions where fortified wine is still produced following the same styles of the Jerez triangle.
Tasting Notes
A little sherry (or whatever it is) and a lot of peat on the nose, amidst coastal, earthy, and medicinal identities, leaning more towards the latter, supported by notes of nutty dried fruit (toasted almonds and cashews, macadamia nuts), sweet licorice, chinotto, and a pinch of black pepper and nutmeg. Over time, the red parts of sour cherries, dried goji berries, and blackberries emerge, increasing in intensity without overpowering the aromas. Prunes plum cake. Simple but effective.
The vegetal soul prevails in the palate, without giving up the maritime and saline inflections that, indeed, become progressively more robust when combined with brine, resulting in a fairly oily texture. Darker than the aroma, it recovers notes of ripe and dried red fruits along with licorice, chocolate, citrus, and more pronounced spices, such as black pepper, nutmeg, and anise. The presence of nuts is always there, and in the background, an idea of roasted coffee emerges.
Finale quite long, with spices, citrus fruits, dried red fruits, licorice, coffee, extinguished embers, and salt.
Review: From the very light color in the glass, one can infer the subtle nature of the casks, which is reflected in the tasting with a whisky that leans more towards peat than other flavors. Not exactly disappointing, but neither memorable.
Vote: 85/100