Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Release 2015

An Islay single malt to warm your heart, hearth, and home.

Lagavulin is one of the Classic Malts series offered through the United Distillers unit of Diageo. The Lugavulin Distillery was founded by John Jonston and Archibald Campbell in 1816, but records show that illegal distilling had been taking place on the same site as far back as 1742. It sits on a natural harbor on the south shore of Islay about half-way between Laphroaig and Ardberg. It is one of the most awarded single malt distilleries on Islay, even winning an unprecedented four consecutive double-gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The core Lagavulin is their 16 YO single malt. But at the turn of the new millennium Diageo started making special releases from the Classic Malts brand line-up. Lagavulin 12 YO Special Release 2015 is arguably the most popular from that series. So much so that it has made its way to become a permanent fixture each year. As you might expect, it is a twelve year old version of their core single malt that virtually defines the smoky Islay style. But it is also delivered at full-powered cask strength — 56.8% ABV.