70cl/56.5% ABV  Islay, Scotland

As our fable goes, The King of Islay seen upon the crest of Lagavulin was no ordinary feline, but a lion rampant who prowled the grounds of an Islay castle, a fresh victor, intense in power and pride. This brooding and battle-worn beast, won its crown through flame and ferocity – and came to represent one of Scotland’s most fiery distilleries.

Deceptive with its inviting golden hue, at first taste this rare beast growls gently, teasing with lemon, salty-sweetness and roasted tea. Intense blackened wood stalks the palate before a long, warming and drying finish, roaring with chilli pepper and great waves of smoke. A classic Lagavulin 12, striking in every way: The King of Islay, in his prime.

This right here is the Lagavulin 12 Year old from Diageo's 2021 Special Releases! A regular sight in the Special Releases, this expression has enjoyed a dozen years of maturation in refill American oak casks before being bottled up at 56.5% ABV. The theme for the Special Releases this time was 'Legends Untold', and as such, this one features a lion on the label. But not just any lion, mind. It's a lion with a flaming mane!

Aromas of salty sea air, fragrant smoke-dried tea, cocoa powder, lemon juice and dried seaweed fill the nose, alongside rich wood-smoke from seaside bonfires. The palate offers notes of lemon juice, sea salt, charred logs, oily brine, waves of rich peat smoke and spicy pepper that linger in the finish.