New Release: Lagavulin 12yo Official Bottling (2016) - 200th Anniversary Commemorative Edition, 57.7% ABV

The Lagavulin 12yo cask strength had a special feel compared to usual years. Lagavulin LAGAVULIN 12yo OB 2016 EDITION 200th ANNIVERSARY 57.7% bottled in 2016 The aroma had a slightly sticky apricot jam, orange marmalade, citrus, light tea, savory barley, seaweed and fish stock, nuts, powerful peat. On the palate, it starts with a surprisingly gentle mouthfeel before expanding powerfully, with some viscosity, rich barley notes of citrus and savory umami from fish stock, a slightly tingling texture on the tongue, sweet depth, good oak character, and long peaty finish. [Good/Very Good] The annual Lagavulin official 12yo cask strength was released this year with a bicentenary label. This series often feels more rugged than the standard 16yo house style, which is shorter in maturation and higher in alcohol content, lacking the viscosity of the 16yo. However, it gave an impression of a series that had aged in the bottle over time. But this year's release had a special feel, with an already complex nuance that was very impressive. The aroma was more diverse than usual, with fruity notes, good barley character, and a strong peatiness alongside fish stock. On the palate, it lacked harshness compared to its alcohol content and already had viscosity, with a slightly tingling texture on the tongue. These aspects were particularly special compared to usual years. Despite being a bit tedious, it already had a refined character from bottle aging, making for a pleasant cask strength Lagavulin.