Single Malt 13 Special Release 12YO (((Bottled 2013)))
⏳ Drinking Window
As a high-proof single malt Scotch whisky, this bottle is exceptionally stable and will not degrade over time if stored correctly; it is ready to drink now and can be savored over many decades.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Fresh raw oysters, mature Stilton blue cheese, high-quality dark chocolate with sea salt
✨ Technical Specifications
The Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Release Bottled in 2013 represents the 13th annual cask-strength release of this legendary Islay malt. Matured exclusively in refill American oak casks, this expression offers a stark, thrilling contrast to the distillery's classic 16-year-old by presenting the distillate in its most pristine, high-strength form. Located on the rocky southern coast of Islay near the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle, Lagavulin's slow distillation in pear-shaped stills coaxes out a heavy, oily spirit. This bottling captures the raw, elemental power of the island, weaving together intense peat smoke, maritime brine, lemon peel, and a delicate, clean sweetness that reflects the rugged coastal terroir of Lagavulin Bay.
🍾 About the Producer
Perched on the rugged southern coastline of Islay, Lagavulin was officially established in 1816 by John Johnston, formalising centuries of illicit distilling along the sheltered cove beneath Dunyvaig Castle. Operating within an unforgiving maritime microclimate, the distillery draws peaty, mineral-rich process water from the upland Solum Lochs. Production relies on heavily peated barley and exceptionally deliberate methods: lengthy fermentations in larch washbacks precede distillation across four distinctive pear-shaped pot stills. Lagavulin famously executes one of the slowest double distillations in Scotland with wide middle cuts and high fill levels, maximizing copper interaction to sculpt a rich, oily spirit imbued with phenolic depth, smoked lapsang souchong, and iodine. Matured extensively in dunnage warehouses washed by sea spray, the resulting single malt balances pungent maritime brine and sweet oak tannins. Benchmark expressions include the iconic 16 Year Old, the cask-strength 12 Year Old annual releases, and sought-after mature parcels within Diageo's Prima & Ultima collection.