Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Release 2023 The Ink of Legends Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Jun 4, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 24
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
About This Spirit from the Maker
Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Release 2023 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 750ml
Product Details
Introducing Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Releases 2023 Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at natural cask strength - Thick wisps of aromatic herbal smoke honour the ancient art of tattooing, clouds that slowly disperse in whispers of stories. The sweet scent of ripe plums lingers, as smoky black ink etches an outline of illustrious past generations ascending to legendary heights. Each work of art is a map of historic victories, imprinted on a living canvas. Inspired by the spirit of intensity and pride that shines through a Lagavulin history more than 200 years long, our Malt Master explores the famed symbols of the ancient Mesoamerican art of tattoo, rich in story and significance. The whisky, finished in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks, pulses with herbal flavours ancient and modern, engraving an indelible story. Amid fierce glints of gold, fresh notes of sea air, citrus and ripened berries mingle with intense herbal smoke in an enchanted swirl of heady aromas, while the creamy-smooth and robust texture plays the perfect canvas to a rich palette of swirling flavours. Sweet with juicy plums and a hint of saltiness, then ever more herbal and smokier, the flavours deep-etch their impression for a lip-tingling whisky of legends. Serving Suggestion: The distinctively spicy, dry & clean taste makes an exceptional cocktail such as Julep or Old Fashioned.
UNIQUE FEATURES: Distillery-first expression. Lagavulin 12 Year Old features in SPIRITED XCHANGE, a limited edition Single Malt Whisky inspired by the exchange of global craft and culture for Special Releases 2023.
HOW IT’S MADE: Thick whispers of rich smoke, etched with bright herbs and juicy plums, for an indelible finish. Finished in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks.
TASTING NOTES: To a Lagavulin at its most vigorous, delicious to drink and full of distillery character, the tequila finishing casks have brought indelible layers of bright, herbal smoke and dark plum fruit.
SERVE: Best served neat, pour 50ml of Lagavulin 12 Year Old in a whisky glass and enjoy.
OCCASION: Lagavulin 12 Year Old is a unique gift that stands out within the Special Releases collection, and is perfect for get-togethers with friends or family.
Tasting Notes
Palate: To a Lagavulin at its most vigorous, delicious to drink and full of distillery character, the tequila finishing casks have brought indelible layers of bright, herbal smoke and dark plum fruit.
About This Spirit from The Whisky Advocate
Lagavulin 12 year old The Ink of Legends (Special Releases 2023)
Score 94 ● ABV: 56.4% ● Price: $170 ● Style: Scotch Single Malt ● Origin: Scotland
Lagavulin 12 year old is no stranger to Diageo’s annual Special Releases series, appearing every year since 2002. The 2023 expression takes a traditional Special Releases attribute to Lagavulin—cask strength bottling—and adds a touch of secondary maturation in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks. In true Lagavulin fashion, it’s a peaty dram that offers much more than smoke. The nose is bright and briny, bursting with lime zest, seaweed, a hint of soapiness, and cooked agave. On the palate, plum and punchy citrus meld with baked apple, vanilla sweetness, and minerality, making for a balanced whisky that sails away on a lengthy, spicy finish.
—Julia Higgins
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
How We Feel About the Spirit
Lagavulin 12 Year Old “Ink of Legends” Review: The Art You Don’t Drink… Yet
Written by Nancy Fae for His, Hers & the Good Life
Introduction
When we set out to collect Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 of 2024 as the inaugural year of the Sipping Room, we expected the hunt to be fun, challenging, and occasionally surprising. But every now and then, a bottle finds you instead. That’s exactly what happened during one of our casual strolls through Total Wine in Nashville — our family’s version of a treasure hunt.
Ashley, with her eagle eyes and uncanny ability to spot what others miss, paused, pointed, and said, “Mom… look.” There it was: Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Release 2023 The Ink of Legends — #3 on Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 of 2024, scored at 94 points and bottled at a bold 56.4% ABV.
The box alone stopped us in our tracks. The Mesoamerican tattoo–inspired artwork felt less like packaging and more like a museum piece. We were entranced. And like any good work of art, we haven’t opened it yet. Some bottles ask to be tasted. This one asks to be admired.
His Take (Jeff)
There’s something about Lagavulin that already feels legendary, but this bottle? This one looks like it was forged for a warrior. The tattoo art on the box pulls you in before you even think about the whisky inside. I love a good smoky Scotch, and knowing this one is finished in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks makes it even more intriguing. The reviews talk about layers of smoke, citrus, plum, and briny notes — basically everything I enjoy in a pour that refuses to be simple.
But I’ll admit it: I’m in no rush to open it. Some bottles deserve a moment, and this one feels like it’s waiting for the right night, the right company, and the right story. Until then, it sits proudly in the Sipping Room, reminding me that collecting isn’t just about drinking — it’s about the chase, the find, and the anticipation.
Her Take (Nancy Fae)
I’m a sucker for a bottle with personality, and this Lagavulin has it in spades. The artwork alone feels like a narrative — bold, ancient, and beautifully intense. When Ashley spotted it, I felt that spark of discovery we’ve come to love in our Sipping Room adventures. It was like finding an Easter egg tucked between everyday bottles.
The fact that it’s #3 on Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 of 2024 makes it even sweeter. And while I adore fruit-forward Scotch profiles, I’m fascinated by how this one promises smoke woven with bright herbs and juicy plums.
But here’s the truth: I’m not ready to open it. Not yet. Some bottles feel like they’re meant to be part of the room’s story before they become part of the glass. This one is art — and art deserves a little reverence.
Closing in the His, Hers & the Good Life Style
His (Jeff)
This bottle reminds me why I love the hunt. It’s bold, rare, and full of character — exactly the kind of whisky that makes collecting worthwhile.
Her (Nancy Fae)
For me, this Lagavulin is a reminder that beauty and craftsmanship matter. It’s a bottle that feels alive with history, culture, and intention.
The Good Life
The Good Life is built on moments of discovery, shared stories, and the joy of curating a collection that reflects who we are. This Lagavulin 12 Year Old Ink of Legends fits perfectly — an unforgettable find that elevates the Sipping Room and reminds us that the journey is just as meaningful as the pour.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
How to Enjoy
Even though we haven’t opened our bottle yet, here’s how we’d recommend enjoying it when the moment finally arrives:
Neat first. This is a cask-strength whisky with layers of smoke, citrus, plum, and herbal notes — start with its full character.
Add a drop of water. The reviews consistently note that water opens up more fruit and maritime notes while softening the intensity.
Pair with quiet. This isn’t a background whisky. It deserves a slow evening, a comfortable chair, and maybe a story or two.
For cocktails: If you dare, the distillery suggests it shines in a Julep or Old Fashioned — though we suspect most collectors will keep it neat.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Disclaimer: Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age. Life’s Rants promotes the responsible and legal enjoyment of premium cigars and alcohol by individuals of legal age. We do not endorse or encourage smoking or drinking among minors.
Comments