Lagavulin 12 CS 2011

26 is my favourite number, and not, I repeat not just because it is the date in April of Carol Burnett's birth.

So I chose a whisky that I was pretty sure I was going to like for my 26th in my series of minis and samples.

I first heard of Lagavulin 112 CS a few years ago. I tried to get a bottle at LCBO but there were none left in Toronto. A friend (who doesn't touch alcohol for religious reasons) was very kind to pick up one of the last bottles in London, and it was the 2010 bottling. He refused to take money for it. It remains unopened.

In April 2015 @Talexander hosted a tasting and I was able to compare the 2011 to the most recent one at the LCBO, the 2014. I greatly enjoyed the 2011 and felt the 2014 was only a shadow of that.

@thecyclingyogi was kind enough to gift me a sample which has lain dormant up until today. It is reviewed in my usual manner, first neat then with a small amount of water and time.

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Nose:

Neat: light citrus, dry peat, salty sea spray. Dust. Maybe a hint of cocoa or some dark dusty note. Not overpowering but it beckons to my mouth to take a sip. 22/25

With water: similar smells, just ramped up a notch. maybe a little more fruity. (23/25)

Taste:

Neat: Rich, sweet peat, astringent, peppery bitterness, citrus rind in the development. 22/25

With Water: A little sweeter on the arrival and a slightly richer experience. A little less citrus pith. (23/25)

Finish: long, Very long, like an ashtray in my mouth (in a good way). Dry. some citrus aftertaste. 22/25 - no difference with water (except slightly less ashtray)

Balance: The palate delivers on the nose, only more so. Does that make it unbalanced? or just delicious? 23/25

Score Neat: 89/100 With water: 91/100

Yup, this is a peat explosion in a glass. It isn't as complex as something like Amrut Peated CS but it delivers what it promises.

Thanks again @thecyclingyogi!

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