Single Malt 2nd Special Release 12YO Bottled
⏳ Drinking Window & Cellar Guidance
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.
🍽️ Culinary 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
Officially established in 1816 by John Johnston, Lagavulin is situated on the windswept southern coast of the Isle of Islay, Scotland, overlooking the dramatic ruins of Dunyvaig Castle. Today owned by Diageo, the historic distillery is celebrated for its uncompromising dedication to traditional methods, utilising heavily peated malt and remarkably slow distillation in distinctive pear-shaped pot stills. This meticulous process yields an intensely rich, oily, and complex spirit that embodies the quintessential maritime character of southern Islay. Renowned for balancing ferocious peat smoke, brine, and medicinal notes with deep dried-fruit sweetness, Lagavulin achieves its definitive expression in its legendary 16 Year Old single malt.