Single Malt 14th Special Release 12YO (((Bottled 2014)))
⏳ Drinking Window
As a cask-strength single malt whisky, this bottle will remain in pristine condition indefinitely when stored upright out of direct sunlight. Once opened, it is best enjoyed within 1 to 3 years.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
raw oysters, blue cheese, smoked salmon
✨ Technical Specifications
The Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Release, bottled in 2014 as the 14th edition in this highly anticipated annual series, represents the distillery's signature spirit in its most vibrant and unadulterated form. Unlike the classic 16 Year Old, this expression is bottled at natural cask strength after maturing in refill American oak casks. This minimalist wood treatment allows the raw, powerful character of Lagavulin's slow-distilled spirit to shine. Situated on the edge of Lagavulin Bay under the shadow of the historic Dunyvaig Castle ruins, the distillery has been shaped by the elements since 1816. The 2014 release captures this dramatic coastal terroir perfectly, delivering an intense sensory journey of bonfire smoke, maritime brine, lemon zest, and a surprising, sweet maltiness that reflects the rugged beauty of Islay.
🍾 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.