Single Malt 2nd Special Release 12YO (((Bottled 2002)))
⏳ Drinking Window
As a high-strength single malt Scotch whisky, this bottle is fully matured and will not develop further in the bottle. It is ready to be enjoyed immediately and will remain in pristine condition indefinitely if stored upright, away from direct sunlight.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
raw oysters, blue cheese, smoked salmon
✨ Technical Specifications
The Lagavulin 12 Year Old 2nd Special Release, bottled in 2002, represents a landmark moment in the history of Islay single malts. Launched as part of Diageo's annual Special Releases, this bottling captures Lagavulin in its purest, most elemental form—cask strength and matured exclusively in refill American oak casks. Unlike the iconic 16 Year Old, which carries a heavier sherry influence, this expression highlights the distillery's raw, coastal DNA. The slow distillation in Lagavulin's signature pear-shaped stills allows maximum copper contact, creating a spirit of immense complexity. Nestled on the rocky shores of Lagavulin Bay, the warehouses breathe in the salty Atlantic air, infusing the maturing spirit with unmistakable maritime brine, medicinal peat smoke, and a bright, citrusy core. This second release is highly revered by collectors and connoisseurs as a pristine snapshot of Islay's rugged terroir.
🍾 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.