Lagavulin "Grain & Embers" Aged 12 Years Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2025 Special Release

Fire meets finesse in the limited edition Lagavulin “Grain & Embers” 12 Year Old — part of the 2025 Special Releases. Matured in a bold marriage of refill casks and richly oaked European barrels seasoned with Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry, this dram is as much an experiment in depth as it is a celebration of Islay tradition.

From the moment you pour, you’ll sense the transformational heat of embers: smoke and sea salt, toasted cereal, and deeply concentrated dried fruit—figs, raisins, dates—emerge through the signature Lagavulin peat. On the palate, the interplay between charred oak and sherry-influenced sweetness surfaces: malted barley, black pepper, tobacco leaf, and a final wave of salty peat linger long. This is Islay turned incandescent—bold, rich, and undeniably memorable.

Nose: Smouldering peat, wood ash, sea-spray, oyster shell, toast-crust bread, and musky dried fig.

Palate: Rich dark chocolate, dates and raisins, salted caramel, charred driftwood, black pepper, and liquorice.

Finish: Long and drying; smoky embers, sea-salt crystals, peppercorn heat, and gently fading sherry sweetness.

Pair with smoked lamb chops with rosemary and sea-salt to mirror the peat and char. For dessert, try a dark-chocolate and orange zest tart to match the dried fruit and bittersweet notes. A rich aged Gouda or nutty Comté complements the malt and toasted-cereal layers while letting the smoke shine.