Lagavulin’s 12-year cask-strength tradition has earned a cult following because it strips everything down to the raw soul of Islay. The 2023 Special Release feels like stepping onto the island at sunrise, the sea still restless from the night before, peat smoke hanging low, and the wind carrying that unmistakable Lagavulin fire. Even in a 20cl bottle, this release holds the full force of the distillery’s heritage.

Lagavulin 12 Year Old 2023 Special Release
Brand: Lagavulin | Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 56.4% | Origin: Islay, Scotland | Vol: 200ml

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Crisp smoke, seaweed, lemon zest, and warm embers, like standing near a smoldering fire as ocean spray cuts through the air.
Palate: Intense, electric, and unmistakably Lagavulin. Waves of brine, smoked malt, cracked pepper, sharp citrus, and subtle sweetness surge across the tongue with cask-strength clarity. It hits fast, clean, and thrilling.
Finish: Long, smoky, and bracing. Ash, salt, and bright lemon drift on with a lingering warmth that feels both rugged and refined.

Production Details:
Made with heavily peated malt and shaped by slow distillation, this release is Lagavulin in its purest, most elemental state. Matured in coastal warehouses where sea air becomes part of the whisky’s DNA, the 2023 edition embraces a sharper, more citrus-driven expression, the kind that thrives at high strength and rewards those who appreciate untamed Islay character.

Perfect For:
A windswept evening beside a fire, or a quiet moment with cold air pouring through an open window. This is the kind of whisky that belongs anywhere the world feels big, wild, and alive.

Expert Notes:
Reviewers hailed the 2023 Lagavulin 12 for its razor-sharp balance of peat and citrus. Many called it one of the brightest, cleanest expressions in the annual lineup — a perfect example of how Lagavulin can be both fierce and precise.

Customer Reviews:
“Sharp, smoky, and refreshing. It’s like drinking the coastline.”
“Explosive peat but somehow elegant. That citrus snap is unreal.”
“A reminder of why Lagavulin 12 is a yearly must-have.”

Interesting Fact:
The 12-year-old Special Releases often reflect Lagavulin’s spirit more accurately than older expressions, since the cask influence stays restrained and the peat-driven character shines through with total clarity.

Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy neat for full intensity. Add a few drops of water to reveal sweeter citrus and soften the pepper. One large ice cube works if you want a chilled, sharper edge without muting the smoke.

Distillery Background:
Nestled on Islay’s rugged southern coast since 1816, Lagavulin is known for slow distillation, deep peat smoke, and maritime maturation that adds unmistakable character. Centuries of tradition, weather, and sea have shaped its identity, producing whiskies that echo the island’s wild landscape with every sip.