Lagavulin 2024 12 Years Fireside Tales - Diageo Special Releases 2024
A new Lagavulin special release? The whisky nerd grabs his nosing glass faster than an Islay fisherman grabs his mackintosh. The ‘Fireside Tales’ from the Diageo Special Releases 2024 promises a warm, smoky story by the fireside.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Nose in and... Boom! A cloud of oil with a vanilla explosion meets cold smoke. Not that aggressive, medicinal Ardbeg smoke, but rather the subtle campfire flavour with a warming undertone. There is also a mineral flavour - almost as if someone had walked through a pine forest with a tropical fruit salad. Pineapple? Check. Peach? Check. A hint of banana? That's right. And somewhere in the background, a sea breeze blows past, reminiscent of salty spray. Sounds exciting? Yes! Are expectations rising? Oh yes!
Palate
Then the first sip - and oops, the fairy tale takes a sudden turn. Instead of sweet fruit, there is a good dose of ginger and bitter spiciness. This is joined by white pepper and, of course, the typical Lagavulin smoke - but this time cooler than usual. Fruit? Hardly at all. Instead, a curious mix of grilled vegetables, especially peppers, with a pinch of seaweed.
Finish
This is where the whisky comes into its own. Suddenly the pineapple reappears, as if it had got lost for a moment. Fruity, long-lasting and warming. There is also a light tar note and a hint of black pepper. Voluminous, intense - exactly what you want from a good Islay whisky.
Thoughts
Marcel 81/100
This Lagavulin 2024 12 Years Fireside Tales is like an evening chat by the fireplace – full of character, with smoky surprises and a touch of humor. It’s not quite the masterpiece you might expect, but that’s exactly what makes it charming and enjoyable for anyone who likes to embark on an unusual, fruity-vegetal journey. If you’re looking for a smoky Islay with some rough edges, this one definitely delivers the fun.
Sascha 83/100
The Fireside Tales presents an interesting balance between smoky intensity and complex fruit notes, but it loses some precision due to a somewhat inconsistent aroma profile. The structure feels robust, yet it lacks the elegance and harmony that define a Lagavulin 16. For fans of technically demanding Islay whiskies, it still offers an intriguing variation with unusual vegetable and ginger notes.
Value for Money: Expensive
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81/100Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Lagavulin 2024 12 Years Fireside Tales differ from other Lagavulin releases?
The Fireside Tales from the Diageo Special Releases 2024 features a cooler, less medicinal smoke than typical Lagavulin whiskies. It combines a subtle campfire note with fruity aromas like pineapple, peach, and banana, alongside a mineral undertone and a salty sea breeze.
Which flavors stand out most in the Lagavulin 2024 12 Years?
On the nose, vanilla, cold smoke, and tropical fruits such as pineapple, peach, and banana dominate. On the palate, ginger, white pepper, grilled vegetables, and seaweed come to the forefront. The finish is long-lasting with fruity pineapple, tar, and black pepper.
How should one best enjoy the Lagavulin 2024 12 Years Fireside Tales to experience its complexity?
Best enjoyed neat and at room temperature to fully unfold the delicate smoke and fruit notes. Using a nosing glass helps capture the layered aroma profile. A few drops of water can soften the alcohol and open up new flavor nuances.