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Lagavulin 12 Year Old bottled 2011 11th Release

Lovely Laga's

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@VolksReview by @Volks

18th Oct 2013

0

Lagavulin 12 Year Old bottled 2011 11th Release
  • Nose
    22
  • Taste
    21
  • Finish
    24
  • Balance
    25
  • Overall
    92

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

Back in the midst of time Lagavulin and Laphroaig had a rather more lively rivalry than they do today. In fact, there was even a still within Lagavulin (AKA Malt-mill) attempting to replicate the Laphroaig spirit! Now though Lagavulin is well appreciated for its own character.

These distilleries are sort of old money in the world of Islay with the emergence and resurgence of others, especially Ardeg, Kilchoman along with Bruichladdich and all of its derivations. This should not be forgotten, Islays distinctive aristocrat, 12 years old and at cask strength.

  • Nose: reasonably well balanced to be honest. Smoky sooty peat, medium earthiness, seaweed, very over-extracted coffee. With water smoked fish, dry earth, more intense coffee, and a much more phenolic style of peat, pungent, some petrol. These are all big powerful aromas, but they are well woven together very well, she’s a complex nose.

  • Pallet: fire, intense salt, aniseed bitterness, plenty of peat, almond, just a hint of citrus sweetness there, trying to get a look in, dark chocolate, bitter coffee again. With water starts with sweet toffee, stone fruit, then salt again, then the peat builds as you hold and swallow, notes of dark chili chocolate, something slightly mineral and definitely rose water, maybe even a touch of jasmine as well.

  • Finish: quite nutty, the peat and smoke built up and fade away regularly, some sweetness there too, hard to pin down but it’s there, salty, eventually it goes a bit acidic and dry. With water clings to your cheeks, it’s nice dry earth, medium peat and smoke wafting away, savoury finish, elements of citrus again and cocoa. Very dry

  • Mark neat – 8.5, with water – 9.2.

If you can be bothered reading an extended metaphor, please continue, if not, fair enough and thanks for getting this far.

Lagavulin is to Laphroaig as Audi is to Lamborghini. The Laga's is very peaty, its phenolic but its not outrageous or ridiculous, its controlled, measured, well engineered. This is not to say its boring or anything, as you can see i very much like it. It's complex and beautifully constructed whisky, but everything is on a leash, everything is efficient. I like that sort of thing.

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4 comments

@conorrob
conorrob commented

Just bought a bottle of the 2010. Hoping it lives up to your review of the 2011 as if it does it will be a dram to remember! Great review @Volks

11 years ago 0

masterj commented

My favorite whisky. Nice review. Accurate on all fronts.

11 years ago 0

@Nemesis101
Nemesis101 commented

I think I'll have to try Laga 12 again - always thought of it as the more 'honest' sibling of the 16 in that it's cask strength with less faffing.

I've heard the history of Malt-Mill, (closed 1962 I think). Now I wonder how much a bottle of Single Malt Malt-Mill would be worth if one was ever uncovered?

11 years ago 0

@Volks
Volks commented

@conorrob Cheers! From what ive read the 2010 release is a little sweeter than the 2011 so good luck!

@masterj yeh this is a good'n hopefully my private preserve can maintain it in this condition!

@Nemesis101 i would recommend it! havent had the 16 since last year maybe? Thoroughly enjoyable but the 12 is a bit beefier. I think your bang on with Malt Mill, a tantalizing question indeed!

11 years ago 0