Lagavulin Whisky Sample 12 Year Old Virgin American Oak Finish Feis Ile 2022 Release (30ml, 57.7%)

Lagavulin Whisky Sample 12 Year Old Virgin American Oak Finish Feis Ile 2022 Release (30ml, 57.7%)

The Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Fèis Ìle 2022 Release) is a bit of a departure for the distillery. While Lagavulin typically leans on refill wood or PX sherry for its special releases, this bottling ventured into the territory of Virgin American Oak, a wood type that can easily overwhelm a spirit if not handled with surgical precision.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Initially quite "green" and wood-forward. It opens with fresh wood shavings, sawdust, and spicy sandalwood. The classic Lagavulin peat is there, but it’s a drier, ashier smoke compared to the medicinal 16-year-old. As it breathes, sweeter notes of butterscotch, toasted coconut, and vanilla pod emerge, along with a bright citrus lift of orange oil.

Palate: The arrival is oily and packs a significant "spice punch." The virgin oak brings immediate notes of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. This sweetness—think maple syrup and crème brûlée—acts as a counterpoint to the heavy, savory bonfire smoke. Mid-palate, it reveals a maritime side with salted caramel and roasted hazelnuts, with a texture that is dense and mouth-coating.

Finish: Long, warming, and decidedly tannic. The smoke persists as black soot and charcoal, but it’s the wood spice that lingers longest, leaving a dry, bitter chocolate and espresso finish.

Why it's special

The Virgin Oak Risk: Virgin oak is "active" wood. It’s rare to see it used with Lagavulin because the distillery’s spirit is already quite heavy. Here, the wood provides a structural "grip" that makes the whisky feel more aggressive and masculine.