Lagavulin Friends of the Classic Malts Bottling Whisky 12 Year Old · 1995 Vintage

Colour

Deep amber with copper-gilded highlights and mahogany-tinged edges, a warm, sherry-kissed glow.

Nose

Tarry treacle, oily fishing ropes and old dunnage warehouses on the Islay coast mingle with menthol, mincemeat and blood-orange marmalade on toasted fruitbread, savoury cured meats and mushrooms on the forest floor drift through layers of rich smoke and sherry wood.

Palate

Dark, charred oak drives the palate, delivering bold Islay smoke woven with sherry sweetness. Rich and savory, with spicy warmth and a honeyed lift that lingers. Notes of black treacle, roasted chestnut, dried fruit and a minty edge mingle with smoky, meaty depth for a long, indulgent finish.

Finish

An umami-rich finish that coats the palate with wet forest floor and a bonfire of chestnuts, even a whiff of fresh tarmac outside a dunnage warehouse. Lingering sweet, savoury, leathery and meaty notes persist, inviting continuous, contemplative sips long after swallowing.