We reviewed Lagavulin 12 2018 back in February, check it out here. As it was Simon's highest reviewed whisky, the boys pitched in on the 2020 edition for his 30th birthday. Simon lost no time to crack it open and we all reviewed it together as whisky number 5 this evening.
Lagavulin 12 2020 edition. 56.4% ABV. $200 CAD. Islay. Refill bourbon casks.
We sniff around:
Smells like a Lagavulin!
Peaty, smoky, and salty. Simon gets a rich moss note.
Scott agrees, mildewy, rocky seaside.
Kyle gets a deep brine.
We cheers.
So potent. Just as potent as we remember from February.
There are some new things there. Simon says it's got a barky note, like he's chewing tree bark. Slight sweetness. It's more savory.
Sean points to the strong coastal salt.
Brings tears to Trevor's eyes.
Scott says it's like a forest after it rains. Like harvesting dew off a pine tree.
Kyle gets a sweet apple-y note. We all agree there's a sweetness there, not sure it's apples. Kyle also finds a spinach note too that he likes, reminds him of his spinach smoothies.
Reviews: Simon's bday present so he starts. This has the same fizzy feel, full flavors, and potency as the 2018, but it's got a couple extra layers and complexity. He goes a point higher: 94. It's got everything in a scotch Trevor likes. 91 for him, it's so beautiful he's crying. Scott lands on 89. Really really enjoys it. He was hoping for a bit more smokiness, he remembers the 2018 to be more of a smoke bomb. That said, this has more camping nuances to it and he loves it. Sean is on board with the camping notes. He thinks the 2018 was a tiny notch better but no complaints: 90. Kyle rounds it up with 91. It is different from the 2018, but he loves it all the same. Averages out to 91.
Overall: The bottle is labeled ''The King of Islay'' and clearly the crew agrees. Lagavulin 12 2020 (91.0 points) overtakes Ardbeg Uiegeadail and Lagavulin 12 2018 (previously tied for first at 89.8 points) as our number 1 rated whisky. Each of us rated the 2020 1-2 points higher than the 2018 but we're going by memory here, and you'll see that in the review there were mixed feelings as to whether the 2018 or the 2020 is better. The feel on this whisky is unbelievable and the flavors it delivers are so balanced and potent. The Lagavulin trademark peat is there in bold and we've rated all of their bottles highly. Lagavulin 8 is sitting at number 2 on our value scale, and our top 5 overall is currently 4 Lagavulins and Ardbeg Uiegeadail. Mind you the Lagavulin 12 is there twice but still, you get the point: go and get yourself some Lagavulin.
Cheers!
The S&P Crew.

Comments