2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 24

Day 24 ... end of the line. Tonight, something special - Lagavulin 12 Year Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 57.3% ABV... "The Flames of the Phoenix" Special Release 2022. This includes the usual refilled American oak casks along with virgin oak casks, which is a bit unusual for a Scotch.

On the nose, I get a warm smoke, malt, some rubber, a touch of iodine, and maybe a touch of brine as well. Nothing is overpowering, and added all together, this is really nice and inviting. At first it did come across as a bit sharp, but as it sits is seems to mellow out a bit and really becomes nice and balanced. The taste - the first note is a spicy heat, then the malt, iodine and some salty brine. The finish I get a strong spicy tingle with a touch of numbness, malt, earthy peat, wood dryness in the back. Late in the finish I get a campfire smoke and ash. The finish is nice and long.

With water, the nose is similar, probably not as sharp, still very nice. The taste is a bit less hot pepper, probably more malt sweetness. The finish seems to jump to the wood and smoke quicker, but it does still linger for quite some time. Overall, this is really good. I have the 2018 version of this 4 or so years ago, and I do have a sample of that saved - so I'll have to try these two side by side at some point to see which I like better. I'll give this a 4.5/5.0 ... cheers, and Merry Christmas everyone!