Lagavulin 12 Year The Ink of Legends 2023 Islay Scotch

Classification: Single Malt Scoth
Distillery: Lagavulin
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Age: 12 Years and finished in Don Julio Anejo casks
Proof: 112.8

The 12 year old Lagavulin Special Release—reliable as a tenured professor and just as respected in its field. This year’s edition, finished in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks, is like a lecture that starts off familiar but throws in a few clever curveballs that make you sit up and take notes. No wonder Whisky Advocate ranked it Number 3 Whisky of the Year—peer review, as they say, doesn’t lie.

The nose is an intellectual delight: briny, bright, with lime zest, a touch of seaweed, and a cheeky hint of soapiness—topped with cooked agave that prompts a raised eyebrow and a muttered, “Fascinating.” On the palate, plum, baked apple, punchy citrus, and vanilla sweetness engage in a scholarly debate with classic Lagavulin smoke and mineral notes. The tequila finish adds just the right dash of agave and citrus—subtle, yet distinctly memorable, like a well-placed footnote.

The finish is long, spicy, and thorough: brown sugar, pepper, and rising minerality that lingers like a dissertation you actually want to read. Bold, nuanced, and intellectually satisfying—Lagavulin has earned its tenure in the whisky hall of fame, and this cask-finished edition is the star pupil.