Lagavulin 12 year old (Diageo Special Releases 2022), 57.3%

Smoked ham on the bone, brine, highly aromatic smoke, and toasted oak, with the spices in a supportive role. Despite being more punchy and smoky than the 2021 release, there’s superb balance on the nose here. The palate opens with sweet vanilla, cotton candy, baked ham slathered in molasses, powerful spices, lemon peel, and red chile flakes, with peppery smoke on a lengthy finish.