Bold, elemental, and untamed, the Lagavulin 12 Year Old "By Nature" 2019 Special Release is the Islay classic unleashed. Part of Diageo’s highly sought-after Special Releases, this edition pays tribute to the wild spirit of Scotland’s rugged west coast. Often referred to as the “Beast of Islay”, Lagavulin in cask strength form is raw power, tamed only by time and tradition. One sip, and you’re standing at the sea’s edge, wind whipping, waves crashing, and smoke curling in the air.

Lagavulin 12 Year Old "By Nature" – 2019 Special Release
Brand: Lagavulin | Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 56.5% | Origin: Islay, Scotland | Vol: 700ml

Tasting Profile:
Nose: A fierce burst of maritime smoke, sea salt, and earthy peat, softened by hints of lemon peel, vanilla pod, and damp forest floor. It's like walking into a driftwood fire by the ocean.
Palate: Full-bodied and fiery, classic Lagavulin smoke up front, followed by citrus oil, brine, and a warming note of charred oak and cracked black pepper. There’s an underlying sweetness that balances the brawn.
Finish: Long, dry, and ashy with smoldering peat embers, peppered citrus, and a lasting warmth that wraps you like a rugged Islay blanket.

Production Details:
This 12-year-old expression was matured exclusively in refill American oak casks and bottled at natural cask strength (56.5%), allowing Lagavulin’s full intensity to shine. Part of Diageo’s 2019 “By Nature” Special Releases, it celebrates the distillery’s primal, coastal essence, raw, peaty, and untamed.

Perfect For:
Perfect for stormy nights, deep conversations, or solo fireside moments. It’s a whisky for those who love their drams big, bold, and brimming with coastal soul or for fans of Lagavulin’s legendary 12 year old cask strength line who know exactly what they’re getting: power with poise.

Expert Notes:
Critics consistently praise this release for its balance of raw Islay smoke with surprising finesse. It’s a favorite among purists who love their peat uncut and untamed. Described as a “benchmark cask strength Lagavulin,” it’s a collector’s must-have.

Customer Reviews:
🗣️ "Every year the 12yo delivers, but 2019 hit different, more fire, more finesse."
🗣️ "This is the kind of whisky that reminds you why you fell in love with Islay in the first place."
🗣️ "Peaty, salty, smoky, and just glorious. Not for the faint of heart and that’s the point."

Interesting Fact:
In the 2019 “By Nature” series, Lagavulin was symbolized by a fiery eagle, a nod to its untamed power, fierce independence, and elemental roots in Islay’s windswept coastlines.

Serving Suggestions:
Best served neat in a Glencairn or copita glass. Let it breathe to tame the alcohol punch and reveal layers of citrus and sweetness beneath the smoke. Add a few drops of water to dial down the fire and elevate the maritime notes.

Distillery Background:
Founded in 1816, Lagavulin is one of Islay’s most iconic distilleries, known for producing whisky with intense peat smoke, coastal character, and deep, earthy richness. Nestled in a picturesque bay beside Dunyvaig Castle ruins, its legacy is steeped in tradition and elemental beauty and no expression captures that better than the annual 12-Year-Old Special Release.