Few whiskies command silence the way Lagavulin does. The Lagavulin 12 Year Old 2023 Special Release isn’t just a whisky, it’s a force of nature. Born on Islay’s storm-beaten shores, it captures the raw intensity of wind, fire, and salt in perfect equilibrium. This expression feels alive, like standing by the sea at midnight as waves crash and smoke drifts from distant peat fires, a visceral reminder that Lagavulin doesn’t whisper, it roars.

Lagavulin 12 Year Old 2023 Special Release
Brand: Lagavulin | Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 56.4% | Origin: Islay, Scotland | Volume: 700ml

Tasting Profile:
Nose: A surge of maritime smoke, seaweed, and brine, the smell of smouldering driftwood after a storm. As it settles, hints of citrus peel, vanilla, and campfire embers emerge, balanced by a faint medicinal edge that’s unmistakably Lagavulin.
Palate: Explosive yet elegant. Waves of peat smoke and sea salt crash across the palate, joined by charred oak, lemon oil, and a touch of black pepper. Beneath the power lies a sweet core of malt and toffee, glowing like fire through fog.
Finish: Endless, smoky, and warming, like the dying embers of a coastal bonfire. Notes of salt, smoke, and sweet spice linger long after the last sip.

Production Details:
This cask-strength expression was aged in refill American oak casks, allowing the true Islay character to shine unmasked. Every drop reflects the alchemy of peat, sea air, and time. The result is an unyielding yet refined Lagavulin, fierce in character, balanced in craft. Each annual 12-year release serves as a benchmark of the distillery’s purest form, bottled without compromise.

Perfect For:
Cold nights, bold conversations, and deep reflection. This is the dram you pour when the world outside is howling and you want to feel the sea in your glass. It’s as much an experience as it is a drink, elemental, fiery, unforgettable.

Expert Notes:
From Diageo’s 2023 Special Releases, this Lagavulin was hailed as one of the most powerful expressions in the lineup. Critics called it “a storm bottled in glass”, pure, uncompromising Islay. Whisky writers praised its intensity, structure, and emotional impact, describing it as “a return to the classic Lagavulin soul.”

Customer Reviews:
“Every sip feels like a gust of Islay wind.  Absolute perfection.”   Jeff S.
“Raw, powerful, and beautifully made. This one commands your attention.”   Nicole R.
“I’ve tried every Lagavulin 12 release for the past decade, this is one of the best yet.”   Arman D.

Interesting Fact:
Lagavulin sits on the southern coast of Islay, mere steps from the sea, and shares its shoreline with ancient ruins and salt-stung winds. Its whisky owes much of its character to this setting, one of the most iconic and dramatic landscapes in Scotch history.

Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy neat to feel its full power. Add a few drops of water to soften the smoke and reveal flashes of citrus and sea salt caramel. It also pairs beautifully with dark chocolate or smoked oysters for a true Islay experience.

Distillery Background:
Founded officially in 1816, Lagavulin has long been the beating heart of Islay’s smoky tradition. Its slow distillation and heavily peated malt produce a whisky of immense depth and structure. Generations of distillers have treated peat and patience as sacred, crafting spirits that embody the island’s wild, untamed soul. Lagavulin isn’t simply made; it’s forged by the sea.