A couple weeks ago I wrote about Lagavulin 8 years, so I thought it fitting to write about the 12 year-old 2014 special release this week since I’ve never written about it before and it’s a newly acquire whisky bottle that was added to my collection.

The Lagavulin 12 year-old 2014 special release is the 14th release in the special release series. It’s cask strength (for new whisky drinkers this means that it is bottle exactly how it was aged in the casks without it being diluted) and is matured in refilled American Oak Casks.

Before I get into the tasting notes and my thoughts, I did want to touch upon the cost of this whisky. My boyfriend bought this bottle for $90, while the Lagavulin 16 year-old bottle we have, we bought for $69 (prices will vary depending on where you purchase). One of the reasons the 12 year-old is more expensive than the 16 is because the 12 is bottled at cask strength. If you are wondering whether you should spend your money, well here are my tasting notes and review.

Tasting Notes
Nose: salt, smoke and leather
Palate: salt, wood smoke, seaweed with a tinge of sweetness
Finish: dry with linger wood smoke notes

Yes I did like but no, I would not recommend to everyone. This whisky is pungent and very strong. If you don’t like strong smoky whiskies, stay clear of this one because it will smack you around a bit, a little more so than the 16 year-old because of the cask strength. With that said, the 16 year-old is still my favorite out of the two. The 16 year-old is sweeter and you find a better balance in taste between the salty and sweet.

This 12 year-old whisky is unique. The notes are bold and strong and if you love those types of notes or are a Lagavulin fan, then it’s a whisky to definitely try. It’s very much a fall/winter whisky in my opinion and I do think it’s worth trying.

For those of you who want to try Lagavulin but are scared, then the Lagavulin 8 year-old is the way to go. It’s a lighter, smoother and sweeter version from its two older siblings. Even though the 12 is just 4 year-old older, there is a huge difference between the two, not only in color but also in taste.

There is a lot of awesomeness happening in this bottle but clearly not meant for the faint of heart.

Cheers!

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend for people to try it and make up their own minds.